The next decade....what's in store?
Musings of a yamfooted traveller still trying to shake off those last 20 pounds as she treks across the Caribbean
Sorry they took so long....but you know....I'm not a lady of leisure (yet)
View from the land that I have fallen in love with...but the owner's not selling. Rats!
Morne Delice Flowers
Morne Delice Dog
Morne Delice Cow
Morne Delice Goat....scratching
The spot of land that I fell in love with...but the owner aint selling
Another spot of land that I like but don't know who the owner is...that is Friday's project
Another lovely view from Morne Delice
This island is just plain fantastic!
After the doctor, I dragged myself to the gym. Didn't really want to go but not sure if I will be able to go tomorrow nor Wednesday....definitely not Thursday so I thought I'd better do at least 45 mins.
Did that, beetled hom, changed into bikini and headed to the beach.
Timed the tanning perfectly (half hour each on front and back and then about 20 minutes more on the front), left, bought 'dinner' (fish and shrimp wrap and fresh fruit smoothie....made with real fruits), went home, picked up my journal and headed to Morne Delice.
Where is Morne Delice? It's a little nook of Grenada that I discovered last week on the day off. Not far out of town, but feels like country. I so want to live in a rural setting here. I had always said I wasn't buying house nor land, but when I saw it, I think I am changing my mind. I'll post a pic later. Drove, took in the view, drove some more and a jeep was blocking my way. I shouted to some guys to ask where the driver was. In di bush. They soon came scurrying out of the bush, apologized and I said no problem.
Asked them who owned the land where we were, they told me then we started talking about who owned the rest of the land in the area. I told them I was interested in a piece so they said follow them and they would take me to a man who they know has land.
Mr Vincent was washing his dog when we pulled up. Then he invited me in, showed me some he had near him...I told him I didn't like it....too many houses around. We chit chatted (he is retired...used to live in the USA then returned home) then on the way out, I commented that a plant looked nice and he offered me a piece. (I've potted it out....it will probably die...like the croaking lizard. More on that later too).
Drove to Perdmontemps and Minorca, stopped by a guy, he wasn't there, drove some more and ended up in a dead end. While attempting to reverse, the back wheel fell into the drain and I was stuck! I put my hands on my hips as I came out of the car. How could that have happened?????
The old people came to commiserate. It wasn't the first or second time it had happened though, so I didn't feel so bad. They gathered some young men, including Chris with an English accent, I got back in and pressed the gas as they lifted. Success!! I felt silly.
Drove out to Old Westerhall, and then back to my neck of the woods in Grand Anse. Just peaceful, quiet and you can chat to people without fear they going to take you away. The people who lifted the car out of the drain didn't ask me for any money. So refreshing.
See post below for some pictures.
I'm just finding it difficult to have ME time, that's all. But in another month or two, things should be better.
Just to update you....
...2 weeks ago I flew into Jamaica without di parents, The Niece and The Nephew knowing. Only di sis and di bro did know. Came to help a friend conduct some training at the last minute, so I decided to do the fun thing and surprise them. Good thing the parents hearts are strong! They had not got a clue!
I drank so much coffee while I was there it wasn't funny. Yummy coffee though. Those of you who are into coffee, please visit Cafe Blue opening inside of Deli Works in Sovereign. This is the retail store of Coffee Traders Ltd, the only 100% Jamaican own Coffee processing and exporting company.
Will be back in Jamrock for cricket. Cricket also comes to Grenada in June.
Listen.....the year is travelling fast. Don't let it go by without you accomplishing your goals and being happy.
Now things are so bad that I am going to wash and set my hair at 10pm....and I'm working 7am tomorrow. Woe is me!
The other day there was a huge grasshopper living in the house. There are lots of bugs here....bush on three sides of the house you know.
Anyway, when I buy plantains, I leave them out so they can get nice and ripe for frying. I came back one day to find what looked like when a bird takes a bite of a mango on a tree. I thought nothing of it, but I knew it wasnt a rat because I didnt see any evidence of that (not like you Stunner!).
Then I got some green bananas and those too were left in the fruit basket to get ripe. Came back one day to find a bit in one of the fingers.
Now the grasshopper has disappeared. Left out some new plantains but nothing has been bitten. So I am definitely thinking that it must have been the grasshopper. But mi neva know seh dem did 'ave teet?
So, with a full tank of gas, I headed to the (new) club late Friday night. This was to have been the start of a fun-filled weekend. I had some plans, but I left some of the weekend open for whatever. I would go with the flow.
The entry is a bit long. I hope you don't mind......
I was surprised at how few people there were on Friday night. I reached there shortly before midnight and there were only about 50 people there I would think. Music was good though, so I stayed for about 2.5 hours. Next it was to a fete that a work colleague was having. That was rammed....maybe that's where all the people from the club were! It was the same admission fee. Left there close to 5am.
Saturday morning was the market. Mission.....coconut oil. Got that, saw some of our guests who were on a market tour, bought a freshly blended fruit punch from the cruise ship mall and then headed back home. Washed clothes, ate then slept because the afternoon was reserved for Grenville.
Grenville is the second city. Every month end, they have a dj in the car park and it's just a nice lime. Left home around 5:15pm and drove via the parish of St David. Grenville is in St Andrew. On the way, stopped at Bacolet Point where I had gone one night. Wanted to see it in the day. The sun was almost setting. Here are two photos...
Grenville was ok. Saw people I knew so limed with them. The bloody DJ would not keep his mouth shut. Why he couldn't just let the song play I don't know. Anyway, one of his announcements was that there was another murder that night. That brings the total to 5 in two months. Shocking for Grenada. Usually in a year, we have about 10. Don't know how the police will stop it because the murders have been domestic in nature. Only one was a robbery.
Back home at 10pm, slept until 11:30pm and headed to the club for Barrington Levy. Went to bed at 6:30am and got up at 12:30pm.
Boiled yam and ate it with already cooked ackee & saltfish. Fried some plantain as well. Yum. Washed clothes, including the expensive bikini that I didn't wash from the last wear. It's the one with the least fabric by the way. It dried in no time. Headed out, intending to go to the nearby beach, but everybody had the same idea obviously. It was too packed.
Drove back to St David to a place called Pt Marquis - a new development to included homes and a resort. There is nothing there yet, but I was looking for some photo opportunities. Called one of the guys involved in the development and he told me where to drive. Came up on a lovely spot which had a lookout point. Climbed the stairs and took some photos...
I lamented the fact that there was no one there with me to take a photo of me. Then I remembered the self timer. The first picture cut off my head.....it don't matter 'cause ah woulda cut it off to post it here anyway! Here it is...
I always carry my journal with me when I head out. I spent from 3:48 until 5:00pm making an entry describing this Perfect Weekend. Naturally I went into more details there! While I was relaxing and enjoying the view and getting a tan, Elan Parle's Kindred Spirits was playing on the CD player in my jeep (I must get some better speakers). Some seriously sexy music. Pity I was alone. I must stop travelling alone. Here is a picture of my jeep. Thankfully I didn't need to use the four wheel drive because I haven't quite got the hang of it yet!
When I left there, went driving all about. Was looking for a particular vehicle I had seen earlier in the day...actually was looking for the driver of that vehicle. Drove all about St David. Saw the sun set, went to the Supermarket, bought ice cream, saw the vehicle and the driver (one of those situations that I think was meant to be for a reason) chatted to he, went home, cooked shrimp and vegetables (I haven't cooked a meal besides ackee & saltfish in about 6 months), ate the ice cream (it wasn't good) and came on the computer.
What a great weekend this was. Now it's back to work tomorrow. Must go and iron some clothes. Actually, since that is such a hated job, I will do that tomorrow morning. Don't want anything to spoil this perfect weekend.
Through Facebook, I found out that there was going to a be a lunar eclipse tonight so walked with the camera to cocktails. Good thing I did, as I was able to capture the stages of the the eclipse.
Here are a few photos from my camera...
Well, lemme start from the very beginning....that's usually a very good place to start.
and then.....darkness
For those of you having the winter blues....cheer up with these pictures....
This is what I will be doing over the next couple of days. Actually, I should have taken out clothes tonight when I came home at 10:00pm, after starting work at 9:30am.
But instead, I went and ate a piece of brownie I had taken home from work yesterday (divine!), drank some juice and fiber (I look forward to throne time tomorrow morning), ate a slice of bread and peanut butter (wasn't hungry...but it was calling out to me!) and then came on the computer while watching American Idol (how do some of those people make it on to the show????).
I decided to just chill. I also should have washed my hair. But maybe I will indulge and pay plenty $$$$ to go to the hairdresser. But when? Work is choc-o-block until I leave for JamRock this weekend.
Actually, it's a good thing that work is busy. In fact, I won't have time to scratch the balls until about the first week in April. But it's all good. Should keep me out of trouble.
(There, Larr....you happy now? I know it's minutieu or however you spell it! But at least the post is not a one liner!)
Snowed under with work. Oh, did I say that already?
16 hour day today. But at least, tomorrow I have a relaxing day.
It's all enjoyable so it doesnt feel like a chore.
I just wish I could sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sadly, I will be in Grenada for Christmas Day.
I will try to make the best of it. Planning to stay out until late on Christmas Eve, go to the beach on Christmas Day and then come to work in the evening.
Rain, rain and more rain tonight. This was after a brilliant sunny day. And I've just checked the weather forecast and it's not looking so good for the next couple of days.
Well at least Friday and Saturday are looking ok. Those are party nights. Yes....have car, will travel!
But this climate change this is for real. In years gone by, you would never get this kind of rain at this time of year here in Spiceland. We gotta save the earth people. Oh, do I have to sell the car and return to walking, to save on carbon emissions going up into the atmosphere and something about fossil fuels????
I am now wondering why I used to stay home all the time when I lived here the first time. Oh....I know.....there was nowhere to go!
Now, there are quite a few options for nightlife in Grenada. Yay! I am normally very fussy about getting 8 hours sleep. Not any more. I'm hot to trot, me and mi cyar.
...in other words, I'm still here. Just busy busy busy. Conducting lots of training. Sometimes 24 - 30 hours per week, sometimes less, plus there is the operation to get involved in.
Going to Bimshire on Friday for the day (for wuk), so that will be a break.
I've just come home to a very clean house, and it could only have happened in Grenada. That's not to say that Jamaicans can't clean....they most certainly can. But the way I got my house cleaned today, could only have happened in the Spice Isle....
A young man's application turned up on my desk. Called him in for an interview to work in the Housekeeping department. During the interview he said how he just loves to clean. 'Bing bing bing' went my brain. All week I was toying with the idea of getting one of the employees to clean for me. I normally do it but I just wanted it done for me for a change.
So I asked the young man what he was doing for the rest of the day. Nothing. Ok, great. I have a house for you to clean. So I borrowed a friend's car, dropped him off and went back to work, leaving him in the house all by himself with my expensive camera and money in full sight.
Checked on him about two hours later and he wasn't done, so I left his money, told him to lock up and left him listening to Tempo while he worked. I'm not the "you are the cleaner, you can't watch my tv or use my bathroom" kind of person. He will call me by my first name and help himself to anything he wishes.
So, as I was telling him in the car when I was taking him to the house, this could only happen in Grenada. Don't know di man from Adam, and next thing he's alone in my house! Lovely Grenada. I'm in love with you. Please don't change!
I've always wanted to go walking on a secluded beach with a honey I fancy on a full moon night. Of course you can do that here because it's pretty safe.
There is no honey around...I'm at home while the moon shines bright. I'm howling. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Went to a wedding in July, and before then, I had not worn eye shadow or any kind of eye make up in about 18 years!.
At the bridal shower, I won an Estee Lauder compact with two nice colours, and days before, I had bought a cheap L'Oreal one. Emailed the sister - she the expert in make up as she used to model - and asked her how to apply it. I am clueless where those things are concerned.
So when I am doing evening duty now, I try to put on a lil eye shadow. Usually it's only one colour on the lid, but last night I put on three colours. Can't say that it was done very well, but I tried. Here are the results.
Had a day off today. Went to the beach. Not many other people were there so I planted myself under a nice seagrape tree and got a nice tan.
Came home, burned a CD, went to the gym, then got a lift to the supermarket. This is where the incident happened. And only in Grenada can this happen. (Certainly not Jamaica)
You've heard me complain that the supermarket I go to does not cater for single people who don't cook often. I always have to haggle with them over wanting just one head of garlic or one onion. I have found a way to keep the garlic. I press them and put in a bottle with olive oil and keep in the fridge. But haven't found a solution for keeping the onions.
Planned to cook curry shrimp. Apart from cooking ackee & saltfish about twice per month, I hardly cook (benefits of working in a hotel). Needed AN onion. One. Not five, which is the smallest bag they have. I looked and saw one bag had burst, so I took out one onion. The cashier ask me how she going to cash it. I say just charge me a fitty cent or so. Now another lady was in front of me in the line and I think she is supermarket staff....a higher up. So she got into the conversation and I was telling her how I always quarrel about this, and that I hate to see the food spoil.
Behind me in the line was an American student of Chinese extract, with lots of boxes of cornstarch, and a large bag of onions. Hear the cashier nuh....."ask her for one of her onions!" I say "I can't do that!" The student looking a bit surprised asked "you only want one onion?" I said yes and explained that I don't cook often (I am sure I am looked upon by Grenadians because the women cook ALOT here. Every day sometimes, because them man don't eat food from fridge!). She asked for clarification on what the cashier had suggested and cashier repeated. "Sure" said the student and proceeded to bus' di bag and give me one onion. I sheepishly say thank you and shake my head.
Before I walked out the supermarket, the boss lady told me when next I come in, to ask for Ms X, and she will arrange 1/2 pound of onions for me. That's the smallest amount they can sell. Oh, Miss boss lady asked me if I can get single onions in the supermarket in Jamaica and I proudly told her yes.
Wast just reading the 25th August edition of a newspaper, reporting on the chopping death of the youth. Then it said that the murder of this fella, has pushed the murder rate to FOUR for the year!
FOUR! Population is approximately 100,000. How is our murder performance per capita?
This is the text of a note I am leaving under my new neighbour's door this morning. He's already gone off to work....
Hello Neighbour,
We keep the gate closed because there are some dogs that roam the area and will come into the yeard. I usually have my door open when I'm here and have had to chase dogs out!
I know it's a bit tedious to get out of the car to open or close the gate, but I would be grateful if you could do this please.
I've spoken to ____ about getting the gate fixed so that it's easier to open and close it.
Thanks,
Yamfoot (from Jamaica)
Now tell me, if you come to live in a place where others are living already, don't you observe what the customs are and then act accordingly? I would, or I would ask questions. For several days now, when I come home, he is already here. He drives. I don't, but I will walk up from my apartment to go and lock the gate. So he sees it locked in the mornings when he is ready to leave before me, and he just drives out and leaves it open!
I had hoped that he would have gotten the hint by noticing that he finds the gate closed every morning, but he hasn't quite got it yet. And he's a doctor. Sheesh!
So if you were he, would you be offended by anything I've written in the note?
You know, this is why you musn't give lizards a bligh.
Imagine, I being nice to these lizards who running over my kitchen counter when I am out in the day. Being nice means not spraying them and killing them dead.
So I come home yesterday, go in the bathroom to see one very nicely perched on my potpourri basket on top of the toilet tank! I take up the basked, he falls off on the way to the door, I kick it out and coax it outside. I don't killing them so I am very careful.
Today, I come home to find one perched on the fan in the living room! I spray it lightly to stun it, then it runs under the bed (remember I moved one of the beds in the living room to veg out on when I am watching TV, and now I sleep on the bed). While trying to coax it outside, I see another ON MY PILLOW!
Damn out of order. Anyway, with the help of a broom, I help them both outside, spraying a dose of spray at them to remind them what they will face next time they come in. Negative reinforcement it's called. They come through a leeway in the screen in the kitchen window. I shall have to close the window when I leave on Friday, else they will have the run of the house for three week!
Is not even like if you kiss dem dem will turn into gorgeous Belgian Chocolate type men!
I go to Food Fair supermarket even though Real Value is larger, has a wider selection etc. Food Fair is just down the road from where I live so that might be a reason.
There is this lady who takes your big bags at the counter who is most pleasant. She never needs to give you a number for the slot that she put your bag in, because she always remembers everybody and their bags. She always has small talk with you "so how are you today?". Not just mechanical and robotic. Very helpful and friendly and you know she is not a young person. She wears a wig.
But she is a credit to the supermarket. I was thinking today though that if they were to ever downsize, she would be one of the people they would get rid of since that position they might not see as essential. But let me tell you how much of a difference there is when the substitute young girl is there. Very different.
I'm in my bed sleeping this morning. It was 7:50am. I sleep in the living room, you will recall. I hear a loud knock on the door. I shout out "who is it?" The name is unrecognizable. I know this is Grenada but I ask him to go to the other door which has a grill so I wouldn't have to open the door to a stranger. I go and get my dressing robe in the meantime.
I don't know the man. He clears that up first thing. He is staying upstairs. Friend of the landlord from England. Then he gets into the real purpose of his knock.
Him: Do you know you have a burst pipe?
Me: Yes
Him: How long have you noticed it?
Me: From about two days ago. I thought Landlord would have seen it as he came downstairs to me on Friday.
Him: Well if you didn't point it out to him he wouldn't have noticed it. But we're going to try and see if we can sort it out.
Me: (half asleep, face looking crushed up) Ok.
So afterwards, with my heart still thumping fast (that is what happens when I am awakened rather than waking up naturally or by an alarm clock that I have set), I wonder why di hell he had to wake me up? Why they couldn't have just sorted it out?
It is not as if it's a new problem. The pipe was leaking for a long time couple months ago and the Landlord tried everything until finally he got a plumber to sort it out.
Some people just don't think before they act. So naturally, I am in a crotchety mood!
The landlord told me the other day that he had to talk to me about the new lease. Old one finished on 31 March.
So today he came down stairs. He doesn't live in the complex. Just stays over occasionally. Says he raising the rent by 6.67%. I then ask him what is he going to be doing with that increase. He seemed surprised that I would ask him that.
But this is how I see it....
I am sure the mortgage hasn't gone up. Grenada is very stable. The yard is often overgrown. The yard have things in it that he hasn't seen fit to clear up. Sheets of ply, and old fridge etc. So if hurricane were to blow, I would be in jeopardy.
His response is that there is inflation. Bull.
Then he tells me he is going to build a little flat that would sit on the side where my kitchen window is, and one of the living room doors open up. So I said "you mean I won't be able to walk around in my kitchen half dressed?" I'm serious about this privacy issue. Nobody not making me have to lock up. The lot beside the house on the side where my flat is is empty. So is the one in front and behind. That was one of the things that attracted me to it. He says he is going to start building later on in the year.
Me thinks that 1 April 2008, I will be living elsewhere. It will just be too crowded here for my liking.
Two bathing suits. A huge difference in price. Guess which one is more expensive and by how much....
Exactly one year ago today, I moved into this flat. If you recall, I had spent the entire day and night cleaning, went to bed very late, and then this happened!
Well I am very happy that I stuck it out. Despite the fact that the place isn't very modern, it's very spacious and airy and (mostly) quiet! For almost a year, I lived without any neighbours in the upstairs flat but three girl students moved in recently. They don't make noise so it's ok. I am terribly aversed to noise. I think that's why I haven't had any kids either!
I have friends living with me...
....One, sometimes two toads and a couple of cute lizards. Every night I come home to findd the tods in the kitchen sink. The lizards are day time creatures
"I wasn't there when they called to say they had the anthem. They (Foreign Affairs) should have got the Chinese Ambassador to come and listen to the band rehearsing. Truth is, I don't think Foreign Affairs people knew there were two different anthems for PRC and ROC. I thought they were the same."
That's the gist of the conversation I had with said gentleman. So my conclusions were correct. Foreign Affairs is at fault, yet it's the Band Leader who is transferred. Me thinks he will have the last laugh.
When I reached home, I put on the tv to watch The Herbalist, a Grenadian man who is always telling people here tha they eating bad foods and food making them ill.
Last week on the show, somebody called in and told him to stop talking nonsense and about things which he don't know. He fanned him off.
The Herbalist is used by a sports person I know who sings his praises. There are questions as to what qualifies him to give out all of this medical advice. But people go to him, and they seem to do better, so hey...keep on doing your thing Mr Herbalist.
Years ago when I was living here, I had all the cable channels that Grenada Cablevision offered (not many by Jamaican standards). This included the movie channels and so on. After a while, I realize that working 6 and 7 day weeks did not make watching tv possible. Sports, yes. Movies no.
So I downgraded, saving money in the process.
When I started working here again, I went for the Value Package which has the basics - the networks, ESPN, Tempo, BBC World, Fit TV etc. One day I went into the cable office to sign up for more channels. This was helped on by the special the cable company ran every weekend for a month and I got to watch some nice movies. But in the office, I looked on the price, looked on my work schedule and said "nah".
When they cut off the cable day before yesterday (I>yeah, embarrassing init?) and I went into the office to pay, I said "cho, what di hell" and got the Gold Package which includes Discovery Health, the merged WB channel, BBC American and a few others, plus three movie channels - HBO, Cinemax and Black Starz. I already had Sportsmax...that was a must.
I didn't ask how much my monthly bill will now be (it was EC$85 which included a whole EC$20 alone for Sportsmax but that was just NOT debatable cause I must see my cricket). I just closed my eyes and signed.
We'll see how long I keep it on for! I have had it since Thursday and I keep watching the same channels!
The Grenadian lady who won Miss World in 1970 (betcha didn't know that Spicy Lady won???) has the franchise for the Miss World Grenada competition. Girls have been selected and like in Jamaica, the girls cover the stratas of Grenadian society (even though Grenada don't have as much strata-ing as Jamaica and Barbados....very refreshing that is).
Go to their website and tell me who you think is gonna win. I come back to Grenada on the 30th so will plan to go to the show on the 31st. I will still be unemployed so don't have to check to see if I will be OFF. (New contract starts on 1 April...lest oonu is confused.)
I love Saturdays off. That's when the market in downtown St George's is most vibrant and I can pick, choose and refuse among fruits and vegetables.
So this morning, I headed to the bus stop and was in town in quick time.
A cruise ship was in town so there were some tourists out. After stopping at a couple of "Indian stores" (stores owned by Indians or Syrians) and not finding anything that grabbed my eyes (shopping in Grenada is not very good unfortunately....online shopping here I come!), I headed to Cablevision because I have two months of cable service to pay. Line too long so I waved to a former colleague and said I would put it in the post. In Grenada, they don't cut off your services just so. Terrible payment culture here. I guess in other countries too, but businesses are very soft hearted here, then people take advantage of them.
The first vendor I encountered on the outskirts of the market was a fella helping maybe his mother. Good salesman and he got me to buy some chive/thyme/shado benni (triple marriage!) and a papaya. Next I got some yam, sweet peppers, plantains, limes and tomatoes. I like to get something from several vendors to spread the wealth around. Most of the vendors grow their own stuff so I feel like I am directlly contributing to their lives. Some buy from others and bring them down. I had been trying to find sweet pepper in the supermarket for a long time but no luck. You could be guaranteed to get it in the market. Expensive as hell but anyway....
With the tourists walking through the market, you heard a variety of "tourist calls" to woo them to the stands. A lady and her two boys stopped by where I was buying some tomatoes. She pointed to a soursop and the vendor explained that the kids could suck it. One of the little boys asked Mummy if she could buy it. Not sure if she did because I had finished packing my now heavy knapsack...oh I forgot I had orange and grapefruit in there...very heavy. Walked off to see a tourist taking a photo of his two companions. I did the native thing and asked if he would like me to take a photo of all three and he said yes. I hope it comes out.
Next it was to buy apples at the man who sells pirated music...an illegal act, but...oh well. Then a bottle of water at The Bottle House.
The Esplanade Mall was built primarily for the new cruise ship pier that was constructed right smack in the middle of town. Several stores have been opened in there, thereby giving locals an opportunity to earn a living. There is a store called Native Foods which juices fresh fruits into delicous juices. A must have if you come to Grenada. The man behind the counter was sharing out some peas soup for a customer and it looked so inviting. I asked him if it had meat in it. Duh! I asked him what about people who don't eat meat???? He say is mostly locals buy the soup and locals eat meat. Silly locals. (ah joking!)
There is a Mario's pizza (Trinidad company) and a Subway (yankee company) in there. The mall is air conditioned and I noticed lots of tourists patronizing those. The Mall is good in a way, but bad in a way because the tourists might just come off the ship and stay in the air conditioned comfort of the building rather than going out into the town.
After I paid my Cable & Wireless bill at their kiosk in the Mitchell's Megastore (by Grenadian standards....it's smaller than Liguanea Lane pharmace), it was time to catch the bus back to Grand Anse. Surprisingly, there was none at the terminus! Didn't wait more than 10 minutes though. Soon we were off. The driver cussed people for blocking a road while delivering bread and cussed a lady who cussed him for cussing the bread van. "Shut yuh mudda ass mouth...interfering in what yuh don't know bout". My word!
Got off at the supermarket, bought a few more items and headed home with my heavy load. Had some Campbell's Vegetable soup and bread, then headed off to La-la land, spelling out the phrase "g-r-e-n-a-d-a-n-i-c-e-l-i-k-e-s-p-i-c-e" in between my Zzzzzzzzs. Such freedom, such clean air, such lovely people, such peace, such calm, such beauty.
I need a stronger flashlight. I heard this squawking noise tonight and went outside to investigate. With the pewny flashlight, I saw this creature in the tree that I have taken pictures of often. It is next door in the open land next to me.
From the faint light, I first thought it was a monkey. But it didn't move, so I have since surmised that it is an owl.
I shut my door immediately. Those things scare me. (But walking home at 3:30am from a Morgan Heritage concert last year didn't!)
I have been forgetting to call the landlord since he called me when I was at work on Sunday. Finally called him this morning to give him my post box number so the electricity bills can be sent there. He lives up in the country so sometimes I get the bill long after.
Got that out of the way. Then was asking him about something I wanted him to check for me while I was away at Xmas. Spoke about that, and they he said this...
"You have to do something about the cleaning". Puzzled, because I knew I swept and tidied up before I left, I said "pardon me?". He repeated. Then clarified what he meant. The cobwebs! Well that don't worry me, for as I explained to him, there is bush on all except one side of the house. As fast as you get rid of the cobwebs, they are back. I have never seen so many insects in my entire life. Insects that I have never seen in Jamaica before. But then again, I don't live in bush in Kingston.
Anyway, that was it. And oh, I have some housemates. Some female students from Caribbean countries who are studying at SGU. So far, they have not proven to be too loud.
The only problem is their male visitors park their car in front of the gate, like I not supposed to have nobody come visit me. (Nobody comes! but still....manners is manners.)
A girlfriend from university days is coming to stay with me from tonight for a few days (hence the house has got a good cleaning....I should invite the landlord over!) and so there will be taxis coming in and out so will have to speak with them tonight. The visitors could actually open the gate and drive in, but in true Caribbean fashion, dem too damn lazy!.
I seem to be washing several times a week. I hate doing laundry....that is the only thing the word 'hate' is reserved for. I guess I need to make some more clothes for work, but I waiting until I get smaller so that I don't have to discard them when ah draw dung.
I also hate ironing. I need a Lad-in-Waiting in 2007. Applications welcomed.
Well, since I spread the bed in the bedroom many days ago, I haven't slept in it. Isn't that great!
I had been trying to do without it.
....The air conditioning, that is.
I usually sleep with it every night to block out noise from the neighbours, as well as from the many insects that live in the many bushes that surround my house.
It has gotten cooler now, so I wanted to use natural cool air, but I found that when I opened the window in the bedroom, it wasn't quiet enough for me to fall asleep and stay asleep. So I've resorted to sleeping in the living room.
I had put one of the twin beds from the other bedroom in there, because the old fashioned couch that is there, is no good to veg out in when I want to be lazy and watch TV all day (very rare occurence). A friend of mine visited in September and that is where he slept. Now I see why. I've had many good nights sleep since!
Now if only the reason I wasn't sleeping in my bed was because I was sleeping in somebody else's..........wishful thinnking!
You should hear me the other day on my way to work shouting "help!.....help!" very loudly.
Here's what happened.
I walk to work as you know. When I reached down the road, I looked into a yard where three dogs were lying down. I've told you already that the dogs in Grenada are pretty docile. You can walk beside them on the road and they don't even look up at you.
Well this dark brown one decided he was going to rush at me. I looked up and he just immediately rushed to the open gate. I saw somewhere that you musn't run. So I didn't. I just stood in the road and shouted "help!......help!". After several shouts, someone in the house next door looked out. It was the secretary from work. She told me not to worry, the dog is not going to bite me. Yeah right. You're talking to a girl who has been once bitten.
So I stood up there with her trying to coax me from her balcony. Eventually, she got the message that I wasn't moving, so she was very kind and came over to me to escort me down the road. She assured me that the dog would not bite me. And you know, since then, the dog don't even as much as look my way!
It's funny how when you know the outcome of a seemingly dangerous situation, you are not afraid. I am not afraid.
Did you know that? We are 'da bomb'.
World Travel Market is going on in London right now. So far we have won Best Small Hotel in the Caribbean, and Virgin Holiday's Gold Award.
The sky is the limit. We want to be the Best Small Hotel in the World. In time. All in time....and hard work!
I had these put on today....a gift from me for my birthday.
So now I can hardly type without makingh a misttake, it's unreal how aaawkward theey feeel.
A walk on the beach with a special someone would have been ideal tonight. *Pity........*
This is an event launched about one year ago in Grenada, on the west coast in the fishing village of Gouyave (pronounced Gwave). Had always intended to go so last night three of us from work went.
There were intermittent showers, but that didn't dampen the enjoyment.
There are several food stalls along two streets with a variety of offerings. Large lobsters, steamed snapper, fried fish, fish pizza, shrimp and fish kebabs, fried bakes, coconut cakes, sweet potato pudding, fudge, fresh local juices and the list goes on.
Normally, I would have eaten till my stomach felt uncomfortable, but I didn't. Started out with a fish rissole, then had lambie (conch) waters (soup), then fried sliced fish with callaloo (not like the Jamaican one), avocado, and boiled plantain also a fried bake (similar concept to our dumpling, but round and flat). Dessert was a coconut cake (like rock bun).
All in all, a pleasant evening which I shall be returning to. It's the off season now, so there weren't too many people to make it uncomfortable, however, I understand when we have a lot of visitors, you have to get there early to avoid the crowd. The streets are pretty narrow and then you have to watch out for the drains at the side of the road.
I don't recall us having anything like that on a regular basis in Jamaica?
So I decided to go out Friday gone. Remember I had a houseguest. Well he wanted to see what Grenada social/lime life was like.
Went to a restaurant first. Experience not as good as when the family went there for Pops' birthday last month, but it could pass.
Next it was time to hit the bars. Went to a relatively new one right near the restaurant. Oh my goodness! It looked like somebody had a spare room in their house and decided to turn it into a pub. No atmosphere. No character. And Grenadians had told me that it was nice! Hmmm....
Next it was to another one in a residential area. Long line of university students. Not our scene. Next it was to a spot right by the ocean. Music was in full swing there. A band was playing some really old Grenadian calypsos, which the older crowd were enjoying, dancing till they soak and ting. White plastic chairs, wooden roughly made tables. Ugh.
And finally we ended up at an all night place near to the hotel. Didn't buy any drinks, but rather sat by the water's edge and chatted, three of us.
As far as I am aware, there is no classy spot in Grenada to enjoy a nice glass of wine or other drink of your choice, with nice decor and ambience. Sounds like a need has to be filled. If I was an entrepreneurial type, that would be my next project.
Anyway, here is what I looked like in my skirt.
Today is the second Anniversary of Hurricane Ivan's passage through Grenada. It isn't happy for many, but I think some good has come out of the hurricane in terms of people's realization of what is important (and it aint material things).
I figure that the sunsets around that period must have looked like the one I saw from my flat this evening. If you look closely, you will see a bird in the leafless tree. When I came to look at the damage about 3 months after Ivan, many of the trees looked like the tree in this sunset picture....
I had my day off today. Couple of things were on the agenda.
1. Watch Rosie O'Donnell on The View
2. Watch Days of our Lives, to catch up on what is going on
3. Watch Katie Couric for the first time in the evening
4. Exercise, of course!
5. Buy a pair of Levi's jeans
I started out late because last night when I was leaving work, I forgot to take the snapper and parrot fish that one of the employees had brought for me. Knowing that I wanted to cook it today for dinner, I had to get it early so it could thaw out. That meant a walk to the hotel first thing.
Massi Kingdom, the sun hot, it hot, it hot. And my umbrella broke so I had no shade. Walked to work, a bit slower than I normally do, wondering why my head was feeling like it wasn't attached quite correctly. Got the fish, got a ride back up the stretch to lessen my exposure to the sun, headed home, took off three of the fish and put that in the fridge and the rest in the freezer.
Now it was jeans shopping time. But time was a factor. It was now about 10:05am, and I wanted to get back to see some of The View to see how Rosie was doing (I'm happy that Star got the boot....well not happy, but I am not sad, let's put it that way!). Well this is Grenada...nowhere not too far, so I was confident of reaching back by about 11:30.
Hopped on a bus, reached to town in a few minutes, went into the jeans shop, newly opened and run by two of the hotel's former employees, asked for the 550 in size 14 (I had researched it on the internet so knew exactly what I wanted.....sits on the waist, relaxed fit, boot cut). I told the girls it was incentive and that it wouldn't fit but they said they were sure it would, so I tried it on. Well, it went up, and it buttoned without feeling like my body was being cut in two at the waist (trust me, I had that feeling in January 2004 in Orlando!). So that was pleasing, but I wouldn't wear it out in public now cause it paste on on my booty. So 10 more pounds will do it.
Next it was a walk up Young Street on to the street with Cablevision, the island's lone cable company. Paid my very overdue bill (they're nice here, they don't cut off your utilities if you don't pay on time....of course that only encourages us to delay payment, but anyway, I aint complaining) and heading across the top of the market square to buy some speakers so I can play the music on my computer properly.
Next it was in the market to see if there was any lettuce. Didn't see any, but bought two bags of lime (I always have lime in my house), heading to the apple stall but they didnt have fresh apples so didn't buy. Then it was to LA Purcell across the street to buy an umbrella.
Now this is one of the reasons I like Grenada. The town seemed eirily (I am sure that is spelt wrong) quiet. There were snippets of conversation which shed light on the quietude. The Ministry of Works had ordered the police to move all the side walk vendors, so there was no activity there and people were talking about it. As I walked to the bus stop, exactly one hour from when I left my house, I saw a few vendors with placards. Essentially, they feel that if the government had to move them, they should have found alternate locations for them. One placard mentioned the fact that there was no dialogue held with them prior to the dismantling of their stalls. But everything was peaceful. No "we want justice" screams, no noise. They just quietly making a statement. Not much of a statement I daresay. I saw on the news tonight that yesterday they were more vocal.
Back on the bus in the new terminus, I was saying how great it was to go about one's business in Grenada. Reached back to my area at 11:30am, stopped at the supermarket (no lettuce and some green tomatoes....grrrr!), rushed home in time to see Rosie. The View needed Rosie for sure, and it doesn't miss Star.
So all in all, it was a good day out. I just wander how I can get my head screwed back on properly so that I feel normal again.
The cricket (singular...or so I thought) had installed itself in the bedroom with the creaky bed. I couldn't sleep in there with it, because the sharp, piercing noise was unbearable.
That is the better bedroom to give guests because it has the larger bed, whereas the other bedroom has twin beds. My brother is a big fella so a twin bed wouldn't do. He also lives in bush in Jamaica so the cricket wasn't bothersome to him.
After he left, I was determined to flush out this cricket. I could hear it but could not see it. I deduced that it was inbetween the built-in chest-of-drawers and the wall. The solution? A can of insect spray.
Bought a tin of Bop with Citronella. Then I sprayed and sprayed and sprayed....holding my breath of course. Left the room. Went back shortly after and discovered I had not only smoked out Jiminy, but also Mrs Jiminy and Little Jiminy. No more noise in that bedroom.
There are still some in the living room but those are fine. Sorry Jiminy. I didn't want to do it, but I have a friend coming to stay and I ent think he accustomed to insects like crickets.
I've never bought fabric softener. It wasn't something I grew up seeing my mother use. I don't like laundry anyway, so even if she did use it, mi wouldnt know.
So the siblings were here doing laundry while they were in Grenada. Brother asked for the fabric softener. I tell he I don't have none. He groan and say how his T-shirts going to be stiff. And I say "yes, that's how I know them to be." My sister went and bought me some and showed me how to use it (I'm just not good at these things).
Just finished a load. It smells nice. That's about it cause I washed towels, hung them out on the line, and when my brother took them off the line for me he said "I've put the towels to stand up over there" referring to their stiffness. According to my sister I didn't put enough in it. Somehow, I don't think I will waste money on fabric softener again. I was going along quite fine without it. Just another expense.
Now if you can give me something to take out static cling from my clothes when I ironing them, then I'm all for that.
Birds on Dickenson Bay in Antigua. Will I see them again when I go tomorrow?
The beach at Dickenson Bay. Clear blue waters. Looks nice doesn't it?
Lizards at play in my backyard in Grenada
And the Dr, King of the Dancehall.....looking forward to his concert on Sunday night in Antigua after the Stanford 20/20 finals
Night before last night, I was walking home pretty late...it was about 9pm when I left the pharmacy just down the road from where I live.
I have two options after I leave there. Either, turn left, walk up a very very very steep hill and then I turn on to my road...
or...
...Don't turn left, but rather walk up the road and cut through the open land on the main road that is in front of my house. Remember the lady who owns the land told me she don't want nobody walking through there, so several weeks ago, she refused my request to chop a pathway through it. So with all the rain, the grass grew high high, just as tall as me (5ft 8").
Night before last night, there was a madman near the open land, so decided to turn left and take the plunge and walk up the hill. Well the dogs in the house at the corner started to yap. That would normally not be a problem, but they set off a stray dog further up the road who would just not shut up!
So I took up the earlier offer of the occupant of the house with the dogs, that if I ever needed a ride up the hill I should call her. So I did and her sister came and gave me a lift to my house.
But the point of the title is this. The following morning, a little voice said to me "go and look at the open land". So I did, and there was a nice path cut out! That means no more walking up the hill, and past the dogs, for a few months!
Incidentally, yesterday when I was walking through the land, the man who lives next door to it and was the one who cut it, was outside and he said he was wondering if I wasn't coming back (I was in Jamaica etc for a week). So I asked him if he cut the path and he said yes, and that he cut it for me. I asked him if he wasn't afraid the lady say something to him, and that I had asked her if I could cut it and she had said no. Well he said "you must just do, and don't ask!" Well I guess I stupiddy! But I was so grateful for that. Makes the walk to and from work a little more bearable.
Actually, it's more than one Jiminiy cricket that always find their way into my house!
They are very tiny, you cannot see them, but them mouth big nuh rahtid. One was in my room this morning and woke me up.
So when I do find them, I cup them in my two hands and fling them outside.
There are crickets and there are these creepy things called congorees (I don't think that is how it is spelt) but anyway, yesterday I heard something drop from the top cupboard in the kitchen. Went to investigate and there was this 4 inch fat thing crawling on my floor. I swept it up and threw it outside.
Then last night, I go in the kitchen to see an ugly large spider on the floor. I squashed it, then apologized to the dead thing. A lot of squishy liquid came out of it. Hmmm, maybe that was its poison? I live in bush you see, not that it is in the rural area....it is not. But there are open lots front and back of me as well as on one side. And the bush high.
Read up on the cricket
It went just about as planned. Woke up, did my water therapy, had Go Lean and All Bran with ripe banana and raisins, and headed for the market.
Boy, I never thought I woulda had to get re-acquainted with the market...
They been trying to refurbish the market for years now. Finally they did it and it re-opened the other day. Today was my first time there. It's like a maze. And the aisles are so narrow you can just about visit the stalls on the perimeter of the square. Difficult to reach to the vendors in the middle. Was looking for Theresa, one of the vendors who I normally stop by, but didnt see her.
Bought apples, melon, lettuce, oranges, avocado, tomatoes, limes, ripe bananas, paw paws and I think that was it.
Then drove to the bakery to get a special shape bread that I like. Whole Wheat Hops bread they call it. Food Fair gets only a few bags and by the time I reach there it always finish, so decided to go to the source.
Came back home, had a cheese and vegetable sandwich, moved one of the beds from the room to the living room and there I vegetated until after Mr & Mrs Smith the movie finished, and I went to drop something at the hotel (I have rented a car for the weekend), and then the supermarket.
Now it's bed time. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better cricket watching day. I have to confess that I didn't watch much of it today because they were playing so badly the West Indies.
Having Friday as a day off with cricket playing.
Woke up at about 9:45, had breakfast (cooked oatmeal, protein powder, raisins, ripe banana, juice, half mango). Let the food digest a bit, then it was time for houseword while the TV was showing cricket.
First I took up all the clothes that have been on the bed in the Sex Bedroom since 1st April....
I live in a two bedroom flat. One bedroom, the one I have been sleeping in, has two twin beds and the other has one double bed. I decided that I want a change. So while I was spreading up the second bedroom, I was thinking that that is the bed I should use for sex......assuming that I something I do!
While speading it up though, I noticed that it squeaks, so that won't do. I can't have sex on a squeaking bed. It's a distraction. So no sex. Anyway, that is where I will sleep tonight.
Put loads of washing in the machine. Three to be exact. First the towels, but that couldnt be done until the rain stopped. Oh, I didn't mention that it was pouring when I woke up and continued for about an hour after that. So after the towls, it was the work clothes (why can't I wear sweat pants and sneakers to work???), then the sheets that haven't been christened with sex.
I then swept and mopped di whole apartment. It's actually quite large and cheap. I don't know why I called the real estate agents today searching for another. Oh, I remember why as I made my way through the bush to get to the supermarket at about 4:30. Before that, I had checked online for what was going to be showing on Oprah. Nothing exciting. Her shows are getting less interesting I find. Less philosophical. I like philosophical and psychological shows and of course the odd celebrity silly show is appreciated.
Came back. Oh, in the supermarket I was asking one of the guys who works there for the mini packs of Crix. If you havent discovered them, go searching. They are 60 calories per pack, the biscuits are tiny so you get a lot. It's a psychological ploy actually. You think you are eating a lot because you have to dip your hand in the packet many times. Anyway, the guy asked if I didn't want the large pack. No, I explained to him, because I will keep dipping my hand in and then eat a lot. "You're dieting". Yes. Kind of. Have to lose 20 more pounds. "You're ok as you are man". Then another guy who works there who I know comes out from the storeroom. So I tell him about the 20 pounds. He say nah, you're fine. Me nah listen to dem.
Came back home, warmed up veggie mince which had been frozen in the freezer (no shit Sherlock!) for a couple of weeks, boiled some spinach pasta, made a salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot, cheese, fat free dressing) and had Diet 7-up (no aspartame, no caffeine).
Now I am going to have a little ice cream to round off a great day.
The news that three children ranging in ages from 2 to 12 perished in a fire sent chills around the island this week. The newspapers came out today and the picture of all three are on the front page. Their mother, it is reported, left them and went to Fish Friday on the West Coast.
Gouyave is a fishing village and an area that never sleeps it is said. One year ago they started this attraction where various vendors sell various seafood. I haven't quite made it up there yet.
I guess the mother will get a cussing from the villages in Sauteurs which is in the north of the island. Wouldn't it be nice if we could see into the future? Very sad story.
Took an employee to the hospital today. I would say we reached there around 11:45am. At about 1:30pm, when she had not been seen, I decided to leave her and arranged with the hospital to call me when she was done. I just looked at my watch. It said 4:30pm, so I called, thinking that maybe she called but somebody forgot to give me the message.
How shocked was I when they said she had not been seen yet.....and they couldn't tell me when she would be seen! When I left, there were 5 more persons in front of her. Today is a public holiday. I guess all the [Cuban] doctors are having a day off! Terrible. Just terrible.
The following notice has appeared in all of the weekly newspapers in Grenada.
The following clothing should NOT be worn when visiting patients, attending clinics or the Accident and Emergency Dept, and Hospital Services.
"Save & Except in cases of EMERGENCIES"
Backless clothing - Dirty clothing
See through or provocative clothing
Bathing suits of any type - Deep sleeveless clothing
Clothing which exposes the breast
Altered clothing - removed sleeves or Split collars
This is in an effort to improve and maintain high standards in the delivery of health care.
Persons considered to be inappropriately dressed will be turned away. Please dress modestly.
Prepared by the Hospital Management & Quality Improvement Dept
So they are trying to lift the standards by telling people how to dress, but they are not getting sufficient doctors to deliver high standards! See entry about the visit today there....
Italy beat Ghana 2 - 0. Next they play USA. Go Italy!
As I walked back in my office yesterday, I get a call from Scotiabank saying they have good news for me.
They were running this Mastercard promotion giving away trips to the football World Cup and merchandise. No, I didn't win the trip to Germany. But I did win the following:-
1 carry bag
1 knapsack
1 cap
1 football shirt
1 football
Neat huh? This is only the second time I have won anything. Last time was some paintings in a raffle donkeys years ago.
So I went to the bank this morning to collect my prize. There were TV cameras so maybe I will be on TV in my bright orange shirt.
Well, it seems to be a ritual with my neighbour. Granted, the music wasn't as loud as last week, but still loud enough to wake me up. Then to make matters worse, he had a bunch of young people talking loudly on his patio!
So that's it....I'm giving notice early tomorrow.
What? A "random" murder in peaceful Grenada?
I believe this is the fifth murder for the year. A man went to a bar in St David's parish last Friday. While he was walking home up a dark gap, some body (bodies?) held him up, took away his money and beat him to death. Of course in Jamaica, there would be some gun or knife used.
Now just last Sunday, I texted (is that a word?) my brother and sister, boasting how I had just bummed a ride from two men while walking from the airport.....
Went to the airport to weigh (same weight, but I'm bloated so it should go down in two weeks or so..), had to walk back (2.5 miles) to go see my old (literally...I think he is early 80's) landlord and was just not in the mood. So just after the soldier's base, I stuck out my thumb. A few cars ignored me, then one stopped.
When I got in, they were having a conversation about a guy they had just passed speeding, and why they have to drive so fast. "They're not rapists or murderers" I thought to myself. Got a ride to Sugar Mill roundabout and when I got out, I told them I was going to write home to say I had done this and couldn't have in Jamaica. So they said that it's safe here.
Now I hear about this tonight....I have to rethink my walking up the hill to my present abode me one with a flashlight when it dark!
Well, there I was thinking that things were going to be just fine when I moved into my apartment last night.
Let me tell you what happened....
First of all, Friday night I slept in the hotel. Went to bed around 3:30am (work kept me up), then at 3:56am, got another call for some keys. So I started out the day later than I had planned.
Borrowed the hotel's van around noon, and just kept going all day. Went to get stuff from previous apartment, then clean that one, did supermarket and hardware/homeware store to get some stuff to help me settle in. I didn't even eat anything since breakfast at 10:30am! By the time I got done moving around the beds in one of the bedrooms, and sat to have a cup of tea, it was midnight.
By the time I got to bed it was about 1:45am. I cooled down the room with the AC while I showered (the shower heater contraption gave me an electrical shock!), snuggled into bed and fell asleep very quickly, not surprising after the hectic day I had.
Well, do you know, that at 7am this here Sunday, I awaken because I think I seemed to have left my TV on (was listening to one of the audio channels before I went to sleep). I hear music, VERY LOUD, so loud that it sounded as if I was having a party in my bedroom.
Nah nah nah nah nah. That cannot work. So off went the PJs and on went my shorts and T-shirt. I marched outside aiming to go next door, but spotted the neighbour on his patio reading.
Called out to him to tell him that the music is really loud, that I went to bed late and didn't expect to be up so early. His body language said to me that he heard what I said and that he was going to turn it down. He got up, used the remote to turn it down then asked me if it was ok. Nope. Then he said "but I can't even here it!". He must be deaf I tell you.
Anyway, I went back into the bed but I don't fall back asleep once I wake up, so that was it for me for sleep. Made my cuppa, and poured over the real estate pages in all four weekly papers. Made some calls, went on the road to check out a few places, but nothing yet.
I'll keep searching. Apart from the noise factor, which I really have no control over, there is the fact that the washing machine did not work when I tried it this morning, and the shower contraption is suspect. The latter two can be fixed I am sure, but I cannot predict when Mr Man Next Door is going to feel like playing music loudly at 7AM!
Remember this story? Well on my travels today (read the other blog entry), I stopped by because I saw a vehice in the yard and wanted to get a chance to see inside. Knocked, but didn't get an answer. So left them a note saying I been admiring it since 1997 and "if I ever got the chance to see inside, I would be delighted". Left my name and number.
You think they will call me? Hmmmm, maybe I shouldn't have put "Yamfoot from JAMAICA". They might get scared.
I meant to blog this long ago.
Grenada's society is so different......
They were having these dances which they call Passa Passa, I guess after the Jamaican dance they have in Tivoli Gardens. I've never been so can't say what the Jamaican version is all about, but I understand that is just a dance, where "uptown" and "downtown" people come together.
In Grenada, these dances apparently involve young women without underwear, flashing. Apparently too, there are videos made and then sold after.
Well, this didn't sit quite well with the government. The Minister of Education came out and spoke against it, so did another minister. Then hear this....they say they are going to call these young women in to let them know there are alternative ways of self expression.
The church got involved too. The news was big enough to get on BBC Caribbean report.
Now of course, in Jamaica, you think any Minister of Education could say they going to talk to 'dancehall queen' types????
That means I now have TV!!!!
Am moving officially tomorrow, but the cable people don't work on Saturday, so got them to go to the house today. So too the telephone people. So now I can watch away and talk away!
Next on the list is internet, but I have to live there for a couple weeks first and see if I like it, because doing anything major.
Last week Saturday, a former colleague, her husband and I, went hiking to Mt Qua Qua in the Grand Etang rain forest. Our guide was Telfor Bedeau, a well known Grenadian hiker and about 66 years of age. Fit as a fiddle, he guided us through some treacherous terrain on this 1 hr 40 mins or so hike.
Usually it takes about 1 hr 30 mins, but I added the additional 10 mins because of my tallness, heaviness and slowness....
It's been about 7 years since I been on a hike. True, I've been exercising (which reminds me to go change the weight tracker thingy to 205 lbs), but doing Pilates, or walking on the treadmill is nothing like hiking up hill on slippery clay.
Telfor first had to cut a bamboo stick for me, then show me how to jam it firmly in the earth in front of me, not beside or behind as I was doing, and move towards it. He also showed me how to crouch low.....I felt like 'Crouching Tiger'.....to ensure that the wind wouldn't blow me off the narrow track, with precipices on either side. Of course, he being the expert, I listened.
Not so with others as he told us. There was a foreigner he was taking some time ago. He told her how to position her body to one side of the incline to ensure that if she fell, it would be on safe ground. He said she didnt listen to him, so after a while he just did not bother. He said it was coming up to a part that he knew that if she fell, she wouldn't get hurt. All of a sudden he heard a piercing scream as she fell in the bushes. Of course, after that, she was all ears!
My abs came into play several times in trying to balance. The closer you are to the earth, the easier it is to balance. I'm tall, hence the need to crouch. That didn't prevent me from falling a couple times though! It was due mostly to the slippery nature of the soil.
As most of the hike was uphill, my heart was getting a good workout. I was breathing life into my body as the cold air passed through my nose.
Like in life, I met up on obstacles. There were two places that literally, if you slipped, you would slide...down, down, down. The first temptation was to say to the others 'go on without me to the top, I will wait for you here'. But even with knees nervously going weak, I was determined not to miss out on the satisfaction of reaching the top. I was glad I peservered. The view was fantabulous in the stillness of the early morning.
Of course, what goes up, must come down, and my quad muscles were constantly engaged, trying to hold back the momentum that this 205 lb body was pitching forward. Soon, we were at the bottom, and it seemed like a piece of cake.
The next day, my muscles told me differently!
Anyway, here is a picture or two....
