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
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!)
A Trinidadian friend introduced me to airline blankets while we were at university in the Bahamas. I had always admired them as being useful for things other than keeping you warm on those cold flights.
So I 'took' my first blanket many years ago. Cold sweat I am sure was washing me, but since then it's no biggy. I have a collection which spans British Airways, American Airlines, and of course the airlines in the Caribbean. Just carry a big enough, empty enough bag on board with you.
I was tempted to give these two girls some tips as they looked at the blanket and looked at each other....
So we coming out of the plane, they obviously wanted it and I thought they were going to stuff it into the bag they were carrying. It had oodles of space. I was going to tell them to do that, but then I say lemme shut my trap. The silly girls take up di blanket, walk with it IN DEM HANDS up to the front of the plane and says to the purser "can we take this?"
Of course, the purser says "no, sorry, it's airline property" and takes it from them. Tut tut. Meanwhile in the cold of the night here on the rock, I wrap up in my soft, warm airline blanket. I can pick, choose and refuse which one I sleep with!
The flight took off from Grenada as scheduled, after a whole night of rain. But I'm a bigfoot....I wasn't afraid!
Am in Barbados airport waiting to board Caribbean Airlines. I just checked and see that I will experience a Category 5 hurricane for the first time.
Ah throwing some things in the suitcase, for my flight up to Jamaica tomorrow. But am I going anywhere? Is BWIA Caribbean Airlines going to be flying? Waiting on a call from a friend who works there. I guess I should book the taxi for the ungodly hour of 4:40am.
When I wake up on Wednesday, I will be on another island. Popping across to ANU on Tuesday. Great timing that I was off work this week making it possible for me to accept the invitation.
I wonder what he's coming with this year? The inaugural tournament was certainly a blast. He's coming with bigger and more exciting things for the next one which will be played in January/February next year. And the launch is on the 4th of July. I wouldn't be surprised if there were fireworks!
For all the confused ones, go and search on this site 'round about July and August 2006 to see what I'm talking about...where I'm going....for what
I was so pleased with my ability to converse in French on my trip to Guadeloupe. (Scroll down and read all the stories since the last time you visited the blog, then come back to this post....Please)
I was even more pleased when at least three French speaking people said "you speak French so well".
One was the two receptionists at the hotel we stayed at. The other was Richard at La Maison du Bois who, after he heard me speak in French, asked me what country I was from. Je suis de la Jamaique mais j'habites en Grenade. He said 'that's not possible. you speak French too well'. Then later, in the shop, I was looking to purchase some things. He called me over to where the cashier was and told me to say something in French. This was after he told her that I speak French well. I asked the price of something and she agreed with Richard.
If only I could spend a longer time in a French speaking place. Gosh. What possibilities. I love the language.
The first two days I wasn't in love with the island. As I told you on Friday, we were going to Basse Terre. Then is when I fell in love.
Lush, green, quiet, mountainous. All the things I require in an island.
We went to a place called La Maison du Bois, where they highlight the different trees found on the island and what they are used for. There is a little museum of sorts, and we had a tour there with Richard, whose English is boss. When mixed with that French accent......oooh la la!
Had lunch, then went to a large shopping mall called Destrelland. Was expecting to find some hot Parisienne clothes, but no luck. Bought two little tops. That was it. My credit card was happy.
When we were leaving, that was another story...
If oonu tink Liat is bad, check Air Caraibes!
The flight was 6:45am. We got to the airport at 5:30, only to find a line with bags only. Their owners were sitting on chairs nearby. No staff nuh reach yet! They finally came close to 6am! Then la femme proceeded to re-arrange the stantions and therefore our bags were now no longer in one line. Not sure why she did that. My two colleagues joined one line, and I joined another.
Mine appeared not to be moving so I went over to their line. One was at the check in counter, and the other was at the head of the line so I went to stand beside her. A Guadeloupe man was behind her and said (en francais) that I must go to the back of the line. So I tell him (en francais) that we are together. He asked which line I was in and wasnt I over there, so how could we be together. He was very hostile and was discussing me with the lady who was behind him. She spoke English as well as French so I explained the situation to her blah blah blah. Then I asked her if she would kindly allow me to go after the (rude) man. I asked him if he was from Guadeloupe. Yes. I asked him if that was how they treat visitors. No answer. Maybe it was because I asked it in English.
Anyway, that over, I go to security. They pull me aside to search my knapsack. The man takes out my two tins of Sardines in Spring Water and says I can't carry them (en francais). I asked why. He showed me a sign (en Francais) and pointed to 'huile' as an item that was 'interdit'. Now I thought it was because of the liquid rule, so I showed him that one tin was 3.75 ozs, but that was not all liquid. Non, vous ne pouvez pas les porter.
So had to go back to the counter, and ask the check in agent for my valise. It already gone. I just plopped the two tins on the counter and ask him if him want some sardines and walked off. I was pissed.
When I went back to security, I told him (en francais) to tell his boss that them must tell people these things before them travel! Then he points to his boss (en francais.....hah hah hah) and I repeat this to him. He tried a little English but I persisted in French. When I finally met up with my colleagues and told them what happened, it dawned on me that the sardines were in 'eau' and not 'huile' and if I weren't so bloody tired, I would have realized it in Security and argued my way (en francais) into being able to take my EC$2.08 x 2 sardines with me!
In St Maarten, had another issue with the line. The Caribbean Airlines flight was very full and the line was moving tres lentement and I was tres faim, so I asked the lady in front of me if she would keep my space, as I was up since 3:30 ce matin and was not feeling well and was going to get something to eat. I excused myself and muttered, I guess to no one in particular, that I was going to drop down. It was around 9:30am. An American couple, Mr L Schlatter and his wife from Indiana, were behind me and I said it loud enough so they could hear.
After I eat my tuna sandwich and come back into the line in my spot, I hear the man comment to the woman 'I don't understand how you can just walk out of the line and come back in like that.' So I told him that I had asked the lady in front of me to hold my space as I was not feeling well and had to get something to eat. Said lady had not seen me return so when I said that, she turned around and validated my story. You skunt. (that's a Guyanese uncomplimentary word). I was going to say to them that not every Jamaican is bad. Damn it.
I had heard that Guadeloupe was the less sophisticated of the French West Indian islands. Very ordinary on the side that we are (Point a Pitre). We are supposed to drive to Basse-Terre on the other side (Guadeloupe is shaped like a butterfly) this afternoon, however in the morning session today, it was invaded by worker representatives who say they are not allowing the conference to continue until their demands are met.
Apparently they are not satisfied with wages etc and they say this is an HR conference of the tourism industry so they felt it was a good stage. We shall see.
I didn't go to the morning session....wasn't interested in the topic. Went on the beach instead....
This is the view de ma chambre
I forgot to pack a pair of flat slippers...can you imagine, and I had an extra day because Liat cancelled the flight on Tuesday, so I didn't leave Grenada until Wednesday. Luckily I had brought this shoes which I bought at Barratts in Leeds.
And this is me on the beach while the morning session was going on. A French Canadian woman struck up a conversation with me, and took the photo plus some others.
From I set foot in London in 1992, I knew this was going to be my favourite city. Of course, I haven't been to many cities but I certainly preferred it to New York. I hear that since my New York experience was in 1989, I don't know what I talking about because the city has changed for the better since then. My sister is currently on business there so will ask her how it is. She didn't like it either and she had been there more recently than I have.
Anyway, JamRock, who has been helping me brush up on my French before the Guadeloupe trip had this link to a quiz. I took it, and it confirms that I belong in London.
| You Belong in London |
 A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well. |
I took another test. How real are you?
You Are 75% Real |
 You know who you are, and you're pretty darn comfortable with yourself. Like everyone, you struggle with the parts of yourself that aren't so great... But you're good at accepting who you are and not dwelling on your faults. As a result, you're confident, optimistic, and very real. |
I've been brushing up on my French with anybody who speaks it, parce que j'irais au (a la?) Guadeloupe dans quelques semaines. J'ai toujours vouler aller au (a la?) Guadeloupe. Malheureusement, ce sera seulement pour quatre jours. Quelle dommage!
See translation below you non-francophites.
........becvause I am going to Guadeloupe in a few weeks. I have always wanted to go to Guadeloupe. Unfortunately, it will only be for four days. What a pity!
I tell you, yesterday I wondered how I didn't die of a heart attack or stroke in the Barbados airport....
The plane from 'Hingland' was late. Instead of arriving at 2:40pm, it landed at 3:45. I was seated in row 38C. That is at the back of the plane. Nope, they didn't deplane through the rear doors. My onward connection was at 5:00pm.
Breezed through immigration, and then, because dem haffi scan luggage, many minutes passed and nothing don't come off the carousel! I talk to an agent in the baggage hall, explain my plight, and he (and she) suggested that I go to Liat. This I did, the kind lady was very kind to check me in and told me to go back for my bags.
Back in the baggage hall, the first suitcase comes. Then I wait, and wait, and wait. And during the wait, something awful happened to me that would be too gory to post on here. I felt like I was going to break down when I felt it coming. But I held my composure, ran like crazy to the LIAT counter. There, I had to explain gory details to check-in lady who told me not to dilly-dally when she saw me rummaging in one suitcase for stuff.
Then I had to run to gate 9, beg a male agent for 2 minutes to do the bizniz, and while doing di bizniz, had a female agent come in and told me to hurry up! She lucky I didn't scream at her, because I was mortified at what I was experiencing. When I appeared, a little bit calmer but still obviously bothered by what had just occurred, the first male agent walked with me to the plane, I apologized to him but said it was necessary, and then told him he should be grateful he wasn't a woman. He was so empathetic. I was grateful.
Then I got on the plane, and saw a guy who I knew. He sensed that my stress levels were up, heck...I was sweating like a pig! So he did the nice thing and fanned me, and just let me be....asking if I was ok every couple of minutes.
Gosh. But I thought afterwards, that it was a good thing that the Hingland plane was late, or else the episode would have taken place on the likkle plane. That would NOT have been pretty I can tell you. Stress. Stress.
Yamfoot....seriously thinking about the knife after yesterday.
This was what my Leicester Square benchmate, an Egyptian older male, said to me on Friday.
I thought one of them was 'women'. He said no. They are...
1. Weather
2. War and
3..... because I had 'woman' lodged in my brain, I can't remember the third.
If any of you have heard this, please help!
This trip wouldn't have been complete if I hadn't done some essential things that make up my perceptual world where London is concerned.
1. Riding the tube.
Well, what can be said about that? The first time I did that was 1992, and I have come such a far way. I know when to run down (or up...pant pant) the escalator in order to catch the tube at precisely the point I need to catch it. I know if it's a north, south, east or west bound tube I need to take, which is useful when you are faced with a train on a platform, and knowing whether to jump in before the door closes.
2. Riding the double decker bus.
The transportation system is so good here. I was perfectly situated for Lord's. The number 82 bus was my friend for all five days of that Test match, and ironically the number 82 will take me straight to Victoria tomorrow morning for me to catch the train to Gatwick.
3. Experience unpredictable weather.
Craning one's neck upwards is a normal thing here, no matter where on the island (yes, it is an island, lest you forget)
4. Sitting in a garden somewhere when the weather behaves.
Like today. Discovering Pimm's courtesy of Dx, sitting in her garden for most of the day, reading, eating, drinking Pimm's, listening to Club Classics...
5. Listening to Club Classics on London's Heart 106.2 radio station.
When I was in Surrey 2001 - 2002, it provided much needed comfort, especially during those cold, dark winter nights. Back then, it was only on a Friday night, but now they have included Saturday's too! I squeal with delight. so that is what I am listening to now.
and perhaps, the bestest of them all..
6. Eating a Hagen Daaz three-scoop sundae in Leicester Square.
I did that Friday. It was the second to last thing I did before I took the tube for the last time this trip. The last thing I did was buy two more cotton T-shirts from Japanese clothing store Uniqlo...thanks for the introduction Adwoa!.
So before that, I headed to Hagen Daaz. They have expanded the store, so there is a separate take away section. At busy times, it used to be chaotic, so it is a welcomed change. My order was Belgian Chocolate, Cookies & Cream and this time I tried New Mango & Passionfruit ...that one wasn't a hit. Shan't have it again. Will stick to Pralines & Cream or Strawberry instead.
Toppings are nuts, strawberry coulis (but they only has raspberry so had to be content with that) and chocolate sauce.
Weather was "brill" so I picked my spot on a bench in the Square. It was beside an old man. We struck up a conversation.....
I definitely didn't plan this right, or else I would have not booked to leave the UK on Sunday.
Just read a few days ago that Beyonce is playing at Wembley tonight. I've been to Wembley before, to see Shaggy. That was in my student days when only a free ticket would have allowed that. Thanks to a friend of Princess P who plays for Mr Burrell.
Now I guess why I didn't know that Beyonce was playing is because I don't have any of her CD's and therefore I am not a fan. So, does not having somebody's CD mean you are not a fan?
I am definitely a fan of Mary J Blige. I have two or three of her CD's, and I see that she will be performing on Sumfest in Montego Bay on July 21st. See, if I were a lady of leisure, dates wouldn't matter. They wouldn't need to be checked against anything mundane like work.
Just my bloody luck. Just when I am preparing to leave the UK, the weather turns brilliant....and the forecast for the next five days is warm....22 - 25 degrees!
I've frozen my (big) ass off for more than half of the three weeks I have been here. There was one nice day in Leeds, well maybe one and a half.
See now, if I were a lady of leisure, I would just call the airline and change my departure date. In fact, were I a lady of leisure, I would have had an open ticket!
Walked into Leeds city centre today...in the freezing rain I might add!
Did a spot of shopping, and headed to the Headrow to catch a bus back. It was still raining. As it's Sunday, there aren't too many buses too often, so the bus stop was jam packed. Got on, and stood near the front because I know is only a few stops to my stop.
At the next stop, an African man gets on. He goes and sits in the back of the bus, so I assume he going far. Not so. The bell rings for the stop before mine. One lady gets off. A few seconds pass, and then Mr African makes his way to the top of the bus. By this time the bus driver has started to move off. Silly man. Before him shout out "getting off driver" or better still, walk to the front of the bus BEFORE it gets to the stop, him expect that the driver must see through the throngs of people standing, to know that one person needs to get off.
Do you know the man argued with the bus driver? The bus drivers here are not like those at home where they will stop outside of the bus stop. Eventually the driver did let him off before the next stop, probably because he was very annoying. Jeez, you gotta learn the systems man!
The weather was absolutely 'brill' today. Clear blue skies, warm - most importantly. I travelled from London to Cardiff to see Mr Endicon, my opera singing friend.
Dx who I am staying with in London helped me to carry my disabled suitcase to the tube station. The handle doesnt extend all the way up so you kind of have to stoop, and one wheel has been eaten off, maybe by a sidewalk. Dx warned me not to come back with it. I told her that was the plan, to buy one either in Cardiff or Leeds, to where I am going tomorrow.
Mr Endicon met me at the station, we took a taxi to his place, dropped the bags, went and had lunch, he went off to do stuff and work, and I wandered around the City Centre. Spent a helluva long time in Boots, and I am just now realizing ah didn't buy di knee highs! Tomorrow for sure, as not sure how much time I will have in Leeds for shopping. Talk about priorities!
I find that in the afternoons I feel for a pick-me-uppa. Today I decided to try Starbucks, for the first time ever in my life. You see, I was never a coffee drinker, then I have become one. Only one cup per day. But this afternoon, that is all I felt for. I had a Frappucino - Mocha Light, and was disappointed. Actually I think it might not even have been coffee but was too embarrased to ask for a full explanation. But it did say 'Light' so I figured it was a good choice.
The coffee came after I found a nice suitcase, cheap too! Only GBP25. So was wheeling it around town. Headed to Marks & Spencers only to find out it was closed.
Went to Sainsbury's to pick up a few things, for I promised Mr Endicon I would cook dinner for he. He had secured some Salmon. Took the bus home, rustled up a combination of wholewheat pasta mixed with vegetables, and salmon baked with olive oil, garlic and some other herbs. It was great....so said Mr Endicon.
Tomorrow I am making Ackee & Saltfish for him, along with yam and fried plantain.
Oh, did I neglect to say that the dinner was finished up by some Hagen Daaz ice cream sprinkled with oatmeal and raisin cookies? I said it was a perfect day didn't I?????
The forecast here in Anonymous London is for sun tomorrow....and Friday. Yippee!! Warm too...20 degrees C.
This picture is always a welcomed sight on the weather forecast page.
I like travelling...don't get me wrong. But I liked it better when I was not working and then I could have lazily packed several days before.
I have been at work some pretty long hours this week, except one day when I went in at 7am and left at 6pm because I wasn't feeling well. Each night I tried to do a little bit, and I am trying to think that the task is not insurmountable. But I am having a stress headache, I just know it.
Went to work at 8am today. Had a training session from 9am until 1:30pm. I try to avoid conducting training on the day before I travel, so that I can spend the time clearing my desk and doing handover notes. I couldn't help it today however, so I didn't leave work until about 9:45pm, so pretty long day you will agree.
I am just doing these things on the computer, while listening to some music like what they play in our Spa, I'm going to have some Cammomile tea, then turn on the air conditioning and pack in the cool. Hopefully by then, the raging headache would have subsided.
And I will try not to pack too heavy. Have to leave space for the Boots and the M&S booty wear!
1. I've gone to the gym for 13 days. Only took 1 day off.
2. I've picked up all my online purchases from Jamaica
3. I've gone to several cricket matches in Jamaica, one in St Kitts and two in Antigua.
4. I've seen the wind get knocked out of the West Indies' sails by two bad defeats
5. I've met several strangers who said "Oh, you're Yamfoot. I read your articles on CaribbeanCricket.com all the time!"
6. I had a very important conversation to clarify an incident which occurred years ago. Conversations are a good thing. More on that at another time.
7. I've not met any man who caught my fancy. But I'm not looking, remember? Actually, I shouldn't include that. People who don't know me will think I'm desperate, which is far from the truth.
8. I met a nice sociable kid who, like the Niece and the Nephew, made me wish I had had kids because I know I coulda turn out a great kid with my good parenting skills. Oh well, I guess I get to practice on the dogs in Jamaica. More on that at another time. The kids, not the dogs.
9. I've not used the squeaking bed.
10. I've lost a pound or two.
If I am flying, and the plane start to feel funny, I look at the flight attendant to see if she looking concerned. So when the plane movement started to take out the bottom of my belly tonight, I looked over at the FA and she was filling out some papers.
Back to relaxing then!
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
Idleness is a helluva thing. Am in the Barbados airport and my tired mind starting to wonder about the numbers.
Got out my notepad and started the list. Went through the tattered address book and cellphone contacts to remember more...cause you know, you forget after a certain number.
Then started remembering the occasions, the thrills of the chase...... tried to forget the bad ones. I was certainly very young and foolish. And because I have never been confident about my looks and personality (I'm getting better at it as I age gracefully), the numbers have been kept down...relatively speaking.
But I would surprise people. The number of persons goes over the number of fingers I have even though I've not had many SO's. The thing though is that there haven't been multiple occasions except with a few that were worthwhile going back for.
And at times over the twenty or so years, there have been periods of drought. Three years, two years in between.
It needs watering now. But I've made some decisions about future occasions. Some categories of people are off limits as I grow older and wiser. I don't have to tell you who those are.
I was headed to Husbands Terrace. I had the option of taking a bus from the bottom of the hill up the hill. But the first bus stop was UP the hill so it didn't make sense. So off I headed. It was pennance for the ice cream I had had earlier.
With my back pack laden with tuna, sardines, clothes, deoderant....rather heavy I must say, I set off purposefully at 5:11pm. First I overtook a lady who was obviously walking for exercise. Not very quickly I daresay.
Reached to the bus stop by UWI Cave Hill. Took pictures of the renovation of 3 Ws oval where they will be having warm up matches for World Cup cricket and set off again. Reached Wanstead Drive pedestrian crossing and wondered why there was no button on my side to get the pedestrian light to come on. I looked right, left and right again and crossed.
Reached to Wanstead Terrace in quick time as it is the next 'gap' - an Eastern Caribbean terminology. Said hello to the people who I saw, asked them if there were any dogs loose. "you aint got noffing to worry about. oil a dem toy" said one lady (translation = all of the dogs were tied up) then added "but walk on the offer soid" because it was safer.
Was at my destination at 5:43pm. No huffing puffing or panting, and it was uphill. Each step that I took, I was remembering the ice cream. I think I walked it off.
Today was beach day. Well, it was supposed to be.
Left the house circa 11:45am. Got dropped to the round about by Black Rock to head up the west coast to a hotel where a friend of mine works. There I would get a day use room, have lunch, and chill FOC of course (perks of the bizniz).
Bus came quickly (public transportation is great in Barbados), I got off in Holetown, went to the supermarket (lawks dem slow) bought some tuna and sardines (tuna for dinner tonight, sardines for breakfast tomorrow), then walked to the hotel.
Checked in, chilled in the room, had lunch with my friend (it included a 3 scoop sundae....no whipped cream though....I'm on a diet!!!), chatted. All this time I am asking myself "where di hell is the sun???" After me buy very hexpensive sunscreen (only SPF 15 though), you mean I was not going to brown like a lobster?????? Well, while talking with my friend, the sun burst through so I grabbed a chair and spread out. Turned over after about 30 mins. I'm a little browner, but not brown enough.
Anyway, went back to the room, watched the CNN coverage of that tragic hiking accident in Mt Hood, bathed and changed, said my goodbyes and headed to the bus stop to take a bus towards Bridgetown. I was to get off at the Black Rock roundabout. Told the conducter this when I got on and he grabbed my back and told me to move down in the bus. Standing room only. Felt like them sardines in the tins I was carrying.
The 'ducta called to me to pay the bus fare. I told him I would pay when I got off as he had my bag with my money. Fellow sardine man who was standing next to me said "you left your purse in your bag??????" I said yes. (I come from Grenada mon). He said quite scoldingly that I shouldn't do that, it's Christmas yaddah yaddah yaddah. Then he says "I care about you" And "I'd like to be your friend". I ignored him. Then he said it again. I mumbled something. He said he and I could be friends and then asks when I am going back to the States. I told him in an annoyed voice that I don't come from America.
Then I said to myself that I need to come off this bus. I fought my way through the sardines and got off. The conducter said "but I thought you said you coming off by Black Rock?" I said I didn't feel comfortable in the bus.
At that other bus stop, two young girls came up, said hello and I asked them how far was the round about. They said "far" and then asked if I had got off at the wrong stop. Nope, and told her I wasn't comfortable on the bus.
Another bus came quickly (did I tell you how great the transportation system is in Barbados?), got on, got off at the bottom of "university hill" and there the trek started....
I kinda miscalculated how much I would have had to do before flying out shortly. First Bim, then Jamrock.
Things are still in the machine....and it's a slow machine. I dislike coming back to wherever I am living and having dirty laundry or dirty house. So did that this morning and this afternoon.
The taxi is coming at 2:05pm. It's tight, but ah think ah go mek it.
So after struggling with them last night, it was time to see how I could do all the things associated with travelling today, with these encumbrances (dat might spell wrong).
First task was finishing the packing of the suitcase last night. Zipping up was a problem.
Then there was the taking of a bath...
But before that, there was Le Twalay. I managed not to impale myself! Washcloths help with the bathing part of it.
They're good for washing my bald head. You can get a good scrubbing done. (Here comes Dr D saying I shouldn't scratch my scalp).
Lifting the suitcases had to be done very gingerly, lest one of them hitch in the handle or something and pop off. I hope the security officer saw that I had on these false things and would have understood why I took so long to open the suitcase for her to search! Actually she had acryllic nails too so she had to have noticed mine.
I got to my destination without incident.
Later this evening it was time to exercise in the home gym. Had difficulty adjusting the seats and dumbells and had to ask for assistance, as I had to to take off the watch when I was going to bathe. It has a clasp that thick nails can't get under. Last night, I used a tweezer to open it.
Flusing Le Twalay here is a problem.. It's one of those environmentally friendly ones where you have two different buttons for the two size things you hadda flush. Well, the nails couldn't do the small one, so I am afraid I was environmentally unfriendly.
Honestly, today I was saying that as soon as I reach Jamaica, I am going to soak them off. But I am likening the experience to life and moving out of one's comfort zone, something which I advise people to do all the while because they could find happiness. Not sure that I will find happiness at the end of this fake nails exercise...unless the nails feature in some delectible act that brings oodles of pleasure.
Hmmmm, now there's an idea!
I have managed to find a way not to give Caribbean Star any of my money. LIAT all the way to Jamrock for the 40th.
I feel so proud of my creativeness in finding a way to fly LIAT home
Now, I won't be talking about weight loss anymore. I haven't given up, but like how auditors have a busy season from January to March/April, my busy season as a hotel trainer starts bright and early on 1st October. Will try and fit in exercise, but sometimes that just won't be possible, except for the walk to and from work.
Right, C'bean Star, learn this. He who upsets this customer, gets the full wrath of my tongue, and does not get my money. I have a choice and I have exercised it!
Remember this story while I was in Nevis? I wasn't paying for the hotel, but I would not allow the company to pay for a hotel that didn't value its customers. Miss Yamfoot does not joke when it comes to customer service.
You will know from reading this blog that I am a frequent Caribbean traveller. The first time I flew LIAT was in 1990 on my way to Carnival in Trinidad. I can't say that my experiences have been bad. Sure, sometimes I cuss, but it's nowhere near the cussing I am about to give Caribbean Star. (Isn't it great to have a blog to vent?)
You remember me saying that LIAT changed their schedule for September, October and November and that I would have to regrettably book Caribbean Star? Well, that process started about three weeks ago.
Went to their website and found that when I clicked Grenada as the origin, Barbados did not come up as a destination I could select. After emailing them through their feedback form and getting no response, I called the IT department. The gentleman who spoke with me promised to call back within a certain time limit to update me on what had been done. This he did, and generally kept in touch over the period of two weeks. I said to my colleague who was also trying to book the same route how impressed I was by the service.
Eventually they were able to get that fixed, but then the Web Only non-refundable fare of US$50 one way, was not coming up, so that was my next issue. After the matter had stepped out of the domain (pun intended!) of the IT guy, I was referred to two guys, whom it was said would get in touch with me. Over four days, I did not hear anything. So I called one of them this evening.
Waste of flicking money, for although he was pleasant and empathetic in trying to understand my query, the person who he referred it to is in serious need of customer serivce training.
It wasn't that this E-Commerce managerwho called told me that the web fare wasn't available on that route, or that he didn't offer an explanation. But rather, it was that....
1. He spoke so quickly that even after asking him to repeat his name, I couldnt not tell you what it is.
2. He had a triumphant condescending tone when telling me that GNG/BGI/GND is a different route from BGI/GND/BGI (where the US$50 fare is available) and the fares weren't applicable on that route ( an easy cop-out answer as far as I am concerned, so that I wouldnt bother them again....any airline people can tell me why the fare would be available on the return leg of BGI/GND/BGI route but not on the GND/BGI route?)
3. He showed NO EMPATHY....one of the biggest mistakes when dealing with a displeased customer. He was matter of fact, business-like, brusque, curt, and any other synonyms of those words that you can think of.
Don't get me wrong....it is not a huge problem re the fare because the next fare is U$75, and LIAT has a US$25 fare from Barbados to Grenada. So the money is not the issue. All those things above are the issue.
And to cap off my horror experience with Caribbean Star, the online booking system does not accept non-US credit cards! It has Zip Code as a mandatory field, and when I put in the customary 99999 or 00000, it nah wuk! Means I have to call that call centre to have some spanish speaking operators deal with me like they are robots.
I don't think people really understand the thing that pisses off passengers. Well here is a good description above. Learn from it.
Thank goodness the next time I have to fly in December, the LIAT schedule will be back on track.
Barbados Pride fringed by palm trees...
Bequia animals....(I didn't know chickens drank water)
Tobago Cays photos....
this was how the day started the Sunday we went to the Tobago Cays.
The crew of the schooner we went on. The captain, who is in the middle, is born in 1929. Work out his age!
That's our destination up ahead.
The boats sit on the blue blanket that is the Caribbean Sea.
Tomorrow we're going to the Tobago Cays. Kami says it's paradise on earth, or heaven on earth...something like that. Here are some pictures of the trip so far...
A room at the Cobblestone Inn where we stayed in St Vincent
The cobblestone is a feature in all rooms. Very rustic.
The next couple of pictures are from Montreal Gardens
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The rugged coastline on the West side coming back into Kingstown. Or it might be south. Not sure...
A caterpillar in the Botanical Gardens in Kingstown
Beautiful Bequia. This is the view from the villa where we are staying in Spring Estate.
These huge lizards come out at night....
And here is me in the brightly coloured swim suit I've wanted to wear for a long time. It's stil a little snug, but we're getting there!
And another Before and After picture. Some progress being made over the last three years. The first picture was November 2003.
I going to bed shortly, cause I have a 6:00 am flight tomorrow.
The last time I had a 6am flight was last Friday. I had arranged with a friend to come for me at 5.
I enjoying a good sleep when the phone rings. He says "Yamfoot, I'm outside". I say "what time is it?" He says "5 o'clock".
OH MI GOD!!!!! I seemed to have overslept!
I know I set the alarm on my cell phone for 3:30am and selected "alarm on". When I looked at the phone after he called, it didn't show the alarm symbol on, which means I must have turned it off, rolled over thinking "lemme lie down for a few minutes more....after all, I don't take long to get ready" and just slept on and on and on.
Well not taking no chance tomorrow, so I've set both phones. Not sure if I can get wake up calls here so early. Is only a security guard on duty and I believe the office gets locked up, but ah sure will ask.
I think that Ryan is going to have a few words to say 'bout all dem pictures....but ah jes cyant help mahself......
The restaurant on the beach of the hotel I am staying at....nice food....expensive, but nice.
And here is where I will be spending a LOT of time on Monday....
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
Well, LIAT decided ah wasn't going ah place.
The flight was supposed to leave Grenada at 3:25pm. When I went to check in, they said it was not on time. How late? 1.5 hours. I was connecting through Barbados and that other flight was only 1 hour late. You do the math.....I woulda been stranded in Bimshire.
So ah said to di guy, best ah stay home tonight and watch the match pon TV. Grenada vs Guyana. Now if Grenada wins, it will hurt mi heart.
Now Mother always says to think positively. So what have I gained by the flight being late and therefore me not going on it?
1. I don't have to pay the US$106 room rate tonight, or the US$16 taxi fare ride to the hotel from the ground.
2. That kind of negates the extra money I had to pay to change my flight time from tomorrow to today. (Ah had to change it because Mr Stanford decided that both semi finals should be night matches, since the finals on Sunday will be a night match.....mek sense)
3. I'm already packed, so no stress to get ready for my 6:05am flight tomorrow.
4. The evap milk that I put in the freezer so it wouldn't spoil while I am away for the 11 days, hasn't quite frozen yet, so I can have it with the coffee tomorrow morning, while the birds are chirping.
5. I can eat the rest of the icecream in the freezer!
Now when I came back into the house, I had to tell di people dem who move in upstairs for two weeks dat I and I have a early flight tomorrow, and that I hope that they going to bed earlier than they did last night! anyway, that is another story which mi cyant bother to tell.
Antigua, St Vincent and Bequia.
Cricket, and then family vacation. Will be in touch.
Whenever I have to go to Kingston, I take LIAT 370 from Grenada to Barbados. The flight normally arrives at 7:00am, allowing me sufficient time to connect with BWIA's flight at 8:25am.
Well, I go to book my flight to Kingston in October (what's happening in October????) and find that dem nuh change di flight fi go thru Kami's country.....to arrive in Barbados at 7:30am!
This means I have to book the American's airline, Caribbean Star. I am very firmly a Caribbean minded girl, and like to support the regional enterprises. I must mention that once you book far in advance, LIAT is cheaper by far.
For example, the fare GND/BGI/GND on LIAT would cost me US$157.50. On Caribbean Star, it is US$205. A whole $50 more.
I've just sent off an email to the new LIAT CEO Mark Darby talking about what is good at LIAT, what needs changing, and why dem change the $^&#&%)(%* schedule! I don't suppose they will change back the schedule just for me, or put me up in a hotel in Bimshire the night before, so regrettably I shall have to book Caribbean Star which can get me in to Barbados by 6:50am.
LIAT, it's nothing personal.....it's just business....and by changing the schedule, you've just lost mine.
Short break to The Rock. Pilates and Yoga are on the agenda, and generally chilling. With these carjackings and daylight robberies I been reading about, I shall be spending a lot of time at Big 12!
In the 70's I believe it was, cars used to be assembled in Trinidad. You can spot those cars now a mile away because they have the old time shape, and so many new cars have been imported into Trinidad.
Well, even if Oscar's car wasn't one of the old types, you got spot it....and hear it from a mile away. Painted in bright blue, red and white, it sat at the corner of the Republic Bank and bMobile buildings just off Independence Square. Unfortunately, it was the first in line at the taxi stand so I didn't have a choice. Well I guess I did because I saw another guy avoid it and go in the car behind. But I was in a hurry (for an interview that didn't materialize), so jumped in the front seat....
I thought the front seat was for one, but lo and behold there came an old man standing expectantly at the door. Reluctantly, I opened.
After Oscar was finished canvassing customers for the $3 ride, he got in to the car, reached somewhere under the steering wheel base and started the car. NOTE: He did not use a key! Then the car moved off. Sounded like a bad LIAT flight! Everytime he stepped on the gas, you heard VOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM as if the poor thing was struggling.
Turning on to Wrightson Road, I had a bit of fear as Oscar, who must be in his 70's, kept veering into other people's lane! Quite a few cars blew us.
He started out his conversation for the drive by saying he don't know how so much people in Trinidad have cell phone, how some have two and three, and is really a commodity they selling, not a service. He say he must be the only person in Trinidad not to have a cell phone....he cyaan afford it.
All four passengers got out long before me, and by the time he dropped me off at Long Circular Mall, my ear drums had had enough of the VOOOOOMING. The important thing though is that I arrived safely. Actually with these route taxis, I prefer to take the older fellas. No chance of disappearing in a cane piece with them!
When I went back to jamaica last week, I collected the umbrella that I had taken with me from Nevis in November 2004. It has sentimental value. I got it from The Hermitage hotel where I stayed.
I arrived in St Kitts with it, and the last place I remember seeing it was on the check in desk of the hotel I was supposed to be staying at. Then we got bumped for that first night and as far as I remember, I left it in the hotel room there. I called this morning (I only remembered I didnt have the umbrella last night!) and they say no they dont see it. Could I have left it in a taxi? Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, boo hoo hoo.
I was walking back to the hotel here in St Kitts today from town. As in most Caribbean islands, the main town is on the harbour. Saw these big birds.....well actually before I saw the birds, I saw some beautiful fish.
But then I asked the fisherman if I could take a picture of the fishes and he said that would cost me US$2 and I walked off and shouted that I'm only a visitor and it was not for commercial gain. That would NEVER happen in Grenada. in Jamaica, yes
Anyway, so then I saw the birds and their picture was free! Here they are....
So we sit on the ground and wait, and wait and wait. Then we here there was a problem with the load. I mean I know I had a few rotis and ting in Trinidad, but that couldn't have been it. Or wait nah....was it because my two bags combined weighed 58.5lbs instead of 50? (The ticket agent didnt charge me overweight though....I distracted her).
Anyway, eventually we got going amidst noise from the many Grenadians on board. How I wished they would be quiet. Juno was the flight attendant and in her opening announcement, no apology made. Of course the passengers asked about that.
So we take off, flight going ok. I had taken two Panadol multi symptom tablets about 9:30pm, after having half of the cheese sandwich, so was feeling drowsy and drifted off.
All of a sudden, I felt a twitch in my chest.
Now I had been taking these tablets on and off for the week without any adverse effects. My heart now started to race, my skin felt cold and on fire at the same time. Without hesitation, I reached for my bag where I had some Lexotam 1.5 mg tablets (anti anxiety) and at then rang the flight attendant button.
Juno came immediately and I told her I wasn't feeling well.
"Are you feeling scared?" she asked. Of course not. I travel several times per year. But I was just nice and said no. Then I told her I had taken the Panadol and I had the Lexotam and was going to take one to calm me down. She said no, that I had to wait 6 hours. I asked her if she was sure. She said yes. So I listened to her....half thinking that I was about to croak. The man beside me must have wondered what was going on.
Anyway, she said we were about to land. No joke....I envisioned me croaking in the air, with no medic on board, and then having to wheel me out dead. I thought about the landlord in Grenada, to whom I was going for the first time, and who was expecting me since 9pm or so, having to wait and me not showing up....
Then we landed, after me getting some trembling going on in my legs. Breezed through immigration (This CSME Skills Certificate thing really works! No questions asked).
Took a taxi to the hotel, picked up my other three suitcases and headed to landlord. Alive! Yeah!
I just wish my people in the region would learn how to serve their customers better.
LIAT pilots decided to strike on Ash Wednesday, so I am sure this would have affected the flights on Thursday. Called LIAT in the morning Thursday to reconfirm flight, and that it was departing at 7:55pm as scheduled. Yes. I gave the agent a contact number in Trinidad if anything.
Got to the airport early....about 6pm. Checked in, and saw that the departure time on the monitor was 8:05pm. No worries. I can live with a 10-minute delay.
Well......
8:05pm came. We sitting in the cold cold cold departure lounge, me with a cold and all, no agent. Then she comes up and boards another flight going to St Vincent. At about 9:02pm, she announces that the flight will land at 9pm. How silly is that????
9:30 come. No flight. No announcement.
9:40pm. She tells us the flight is coming at 9:45pm.
10:15 come. No flight. No announcement. Passengers started asking for food. They got coupons to go for Kentucky or Churches. I had bought a cheese sandwich earlier so didn't go and collect any voucher. A Grenadian 'trafficker' - someone who buys and sells legitimate goods! - asks me to watch her bags while she goes for food.
10:45pm or so. The announce that boarding has commenced at gate 7. Which gate were we at first? 9. Where is gate 7? Round the other side of the airport. Geez. Now of course I can't leave di people dem bags can I? So I wait. Eventually they come back.
We wait at gate 7 for about 10 minutes. Then we board. Then the flight stays on the ground for many minutes.
We eventually take off at about 11:30pm scheduled to arrive in Grenada at five past midnight!
The flight was another story.......scroll up to the next entry.
Here are some pictures, but before you look at them, please scroll down the page and start to read from where you last read. (That's an order)
Pretty costumes. The labour that must go into making these.....wow!
A painted body. Wonder what lies underneath?
What a nice horsey. Horses were used to keep the crowds at bay. They kept bending their back legs so I called the officer's attention to it, thinking that the horse was about to collapse. The explanation was that that is how they relax their muscles.
Oh oh....I wonder if the horsey will end up in a stew later on?????????????
Drunk and passed out, three Jamaican angels came to this Guyanese fella's rescue.
When I lose all the weight I want to lose, this is what my figure will look like. Heh heh.
This is where I will be starting from. Me, as a 'hangers on' in the Tribe band.
Well, what can I say? Fifteen years was too long to stay away from Trinidad at Carnival time. Had a blast despite the fact that I was not 100%. Had the sniffles and a cough, not too too bad, so had to pace myself. Wouldn't have gone full throttle though even if I were 100 %
Here's a snippet of what I did.....
THURSDAY
Got in around 10am. Did 'stuff' then went up to St Joseph to a fete called Beachouse at Ortinola Estate. Reached about 3:30pm. Left when it finished around 9:15pm. A sprawling lawn with gentle undulations. Food was Bake & Shark and Vegetable Samosas, orange juice and Hagen Daaz ice cream and fruits. Of course the ice cream made my day.
There was a bit of rain so had to go shelter. It got very chilly in the evening which of course started up my coughing again. Consequently....
FRIDAY
Stayed home. Took medicine, slept, watched TV. Should have gone to Girl Power fete.
SATURDAY
Went to Panorama about 9pm. Stayed until the end. It was great. My most favourite part of carnival. Then went to a breakfast fete. Reached there around 3:30am. Left at 8am Sunday morning.
SUNDAY
Slept when we got home from the breakfast fete and got up to go to Brian Lara's fete. My expectations were exceeded....and they were high! Great food, fabulous music and performances from Patrice Roberts and Machel Montano. Destra was ok. She was sick and kept apologizing for it. Reached at about 5:15, left when it done at about 11:15. Best US$108 I spent. Woulda pay more too.
MONDAY
All that dancing on Sunday night meant that I had to stay home Monday! So no jump up on the road for me because I wanted to save it all for Tuesday....
TUESDAY
On the road with Tribe from about 9:30am until it done at about 10:30pm. I had been given the option to be dropped home after the lunch break but I decided to stay and am glad I did. Saw some people I hadn't seen earlier in the day. Rescued a Guyanese fellow who had too much to drink and helped him to re-unite with his sister. That was a trip! Anyway, we felt good about being his angels for that night.
WEDNESDAY
An airport trip, checking on email and cloth shopping occupied that day. Then in the evening, met up with my friends from university and had a blast. More about that in another blog entry.
THURSDAY
Cleaned house, did laundry, and to the airport. More about that and $^#@%$%$( LIAT in another blog entry.
While waiting intransit in Barbados last evening, I spotted a fellow across the way and I thought to myself that his face looked familiar. I didn't go over and investigate further. Fortunately though, he got up and as he was walking past me, I looked at him and recognized it was indeed somebody who I know...
I've been taking Caribbean holidays for a long time now. Must get to know my region better. So on this particular Caribbean holiday, either back in 1995 or 1997, I visited one of the Eastern Caribbean islands. When I was at the airport ready to leave on LIAT, the LIAT guy asked me if I was in any particular rush and would I like to give up my seat and go on a later flight that day. I asked him what I was going to do while waiting and he said to leave it to him.
Well, that was certainly very memorable. We drove down the coast, and stopped at the botanical gardens. Man, they were so peaceful and serene. Totally awesome and it made an impression on me.
Back at the airport now, because my later flight was going to depart, the LIAT guy made me come in the back office and I was observing what happens behind the scenes. Very interesting stuff for me as I am curious as to how things happen; what are the processes that make it happen. Of course, because I am curious, I asked a lot of questions and he was very good about answering them all.
During one of our conversations, he mentioned all the things he would do were he station manager. The guy who was in that position was old and had been in the system for donkeys years so there was no innovation.
i rememeber after I reached back to jamaica, penning a letter to the LIAT guy encouraging him to do the necessary things that would qualify him for the senior position.
Fast forward to Tuesday evening now. I called him by name. He was puzzled as to how I knew it. I reminded him about that day and it slowly dawned on him who I was. I had also seen him on a LIAT flight within the last 4 years or so but didnt get to go through all the details of how we met. The first question I asked him Tuesday was "are you Station Manager yet?" and when he said yes, I was so pleased that somebody had actually followed through and pursued their goals and got to where they wanted to get.
This world is very small, and you just never know where you are going to buck up people.
Oh, one thing I also remembered about that botanical gardens encounter was that the LIAT guy was never suggestive in an improper way. That's how it is down this side. The guys are not so forward as they are in Jamaica!
I cut it close for my flight out of Jamaica Tuesday. Got to the airport 1hr and 5 mins before departure. Had upgraded to first class so I could get heavier weight allowance. Took many requests for Things Jamaican so luggage was full, also remember that I decided to buy house stuff in Jamaica where it is cheaper, so that took up lots of space.
I know the Station Manager at the airport. Like a good employee, that didn't prevent me from being asked to re-arrange my luggage!
I had as carry on, my laptop (damn bag is very heavy), a knapsack, and a small suitcase. After all, I travelled from Grenada with all of that, so why shouldn't it be a problem here? It was. Mr station manager said the stations are getting written up by the flight attendants for allowing excess baggage in the cabin. He very kindly took me behind the counter so my draws (panties!) would not be in full view of other passengers.
He also assisted me in repacking (not the draws!). I thought he was quite good in the way he was forceful without being forceful, while I was protesting. It'a all about following procedure. When I told him I had come up with all that, he said I shouldn't have been allowed with it, plus, first class was full yesterday so he knew there wouldn't be any spare room. Right he was. My laptop had to go where the flight attendants have there stuff, and my small suitcase travelled in Economy class!
I have tons of photos on my computer, taken from travels in the region. Today, I am posting some of the animals I have snapped over the last three or so years......
Brown Verandah Dog, taken in Lucea, Hanover, Western Jamaica
Pooch in Barbados, next door to where Princess P lived
Dog on Grand Anse Beach, Grenada
Dead Manicou, about to be stewed, Grenada
A feathered friend, Grenada (Belmont Estate)
My relative? Grenada (Belmont Estate)
I'm off to the airport in a few minutes. I have tried to pack light because LIAT and BWIA have divorced.
Before, I would check my luggage in Grenada all the way to Kingston. Now, because of the new system that LIAT has of a discount carrier, and other reasons which I know not of, I am going to have to clear luggage in Barbados, go to the BWIA counter and check in!
Consequently I have tried to travel light and only carry the bare essentials. Lemme see if they will allow me to carry all that on board!
I've finished work way too late tonight. Consequently, I will have not enough sleep tonight since I have to be up at 3:45am to get to the airport by 5:10am. One must have breakfast, and go through all the morning routines that there are you know.
See you in Jamaica.
You know I am in Grenada right? Well, there is an underwater volcano to the north of the island. Its name is 'Kick 'em Jenny'. After the tsunami in Asia in December 2004, it brought back to mind the fact that the volcano here could erupt at any time! Yikes!
Today, the seas on Grand Anse Beach are very rough. So of course, you know, it got my mind racing again.....could this be the volcano erupting? They tell me that I am too scared, and its just rough seas.
Well, the sea normally looks like this....
Today, the sea looks like this.....
I know I aint crazy.....this is NOT normal.
You know what that means?
Lots of blog entries.....
Ok, so it's not what you're thinking....
There was an issue with the bed sinking. All it needed was one screw. I had a good night's sleep last night all because of one screw.
Well not moving to another island. Just moving from the hotel across the street to the one I am doing work at. It is called an Anthurium Pool Suite with a small swimming pool (that I will probably never use). Will post some pictures one day. I could have moved to one on the beach but it's a public beach and I'm single (and not looking...heh heh) so don't like being so open.
Have a great weekend.
Just a note to say hi, am still alive. No time for frivolities such as blogging, not for a few weeks, but will check in from time to time. Unfortunately can't read other blogs for a while.
Kami, I see that your PM got back in. The people have spoken. Did you vote? I have NEVER voted, ever.
The hotel here in Grenada will open next week Thursday. We have started serving dinners however, since last week Tuesday, so I eat there every night in order to do some evaluation of the service. I try and dress up, since I don't get out much! What a ting!
Ok, I need to do some catching up tonight. For some reason, the fish that I had from the restaurant last night hurt my stomach. I didn't have any "funny tummy" as the British like to refer to it as, but a piece of pain lick me late, so I stayed up and watched CSI NY until midnight. Then got up at 6:30am.
Yesterday, I was very proud that I exercised after leaving work. I haven't exercised in a couple of weeks......but the clothes still fit!
Well, I been very quiet. The evening time is only when I have time for updating the blog and I have to walk a way to the computer room.....yeah, I lazy sometimes. So you notice you get a barrage of entries on the weekends or so? That's how it will be for a while.
I'm staying in a resort that has its own kitchen, so generally I do my own cooking. Earlier this week, I cooked a boss curry shrimp with broccoli, chick peas and pumpkin. Had that with whole wheat roti twice. On other days I made veggie mince with Ragu tomato, garlic and onion sauce. Yummy.
Went to the market again this morning and stocked up on my veggies and staples. You know white yam and fried plantains is on the menu tomorrow right?? Since I have been here I have never had the hotel's breakfast. I have either cereal, or sardines or my cooked breakfast. Tomorrow saltfish will be the accompaniment. The supermarket that normally sells Ackee doesn't have any, so I told the manager who I know. Hopefully he can source some.
Last night, I tried on some of the clothes I brought with me. I think I have been here for three weeks now, and normally, the clothes would be kind of snug already. But I have been very aware of what and how much I'm eating. Even though I have ice cream now and again, I still haven't gained any weight, at least it doesn't show in my clothes. Belly kinda higher than when I left home, so have to start the Pilates on my own.
So that's what's been happening. And oh, apologies for not having the time to read other blogs. Soon come!
While I've been here, I've read and watched on TV that crime has gone down. Can you imagine that happening in Jamaica? What a wonderful thing that would be.
Here in Grenada, they had 14 murders in 2002. In 2004, that figure had declined to 6! All other crimes were down as well, including rape and theft.
I believe that Hurricane Ivan, although devastating on material property, will turn out in the long run to be a blessing for this country. Many life lessons have been learnt. Perhaps one of those is that it's senseless to kill another person.
Ok fellow bloggers and readers who don't blog. I have some free moments so thank your lucky stars! (heh heh)
Now, about SGU students. SGU = St George's University School of Medicine and Arts and General Studies. They are an American University which started here about 25 years ago, doing only medicine. The original campus is located next to where I worked and am temporarily engaged at the moment. A few years ago, they built an impressive facility near the airport. Massive buildings, nice dorm rooms and now many many students, especially since they added Vet studies and Arts & General studies courses.
I remember while I was living here from 1997 to 2001 (Yes Sunshine, I am Jamaican by birth but Caribbean in outlook, so I worked here for 4 years), I saw one of the students in the pharmacy and asked her why she decided to leave the good ole USA to come to this island to study. She said that the university has a very good reputation and that it is very hard to get into the good medical schools in the USA.
The students do part of the study here, and then they go to St Vincent. Last weekend while I was in the supermarket in the mall, I heard one (female) student talking to what I assume to be the girlfriend of another student. Student was asking GF if she was coming back at Christmas. She was apparently about to go back to the States after visiting BF student. She said no, but she was going to try and come back in February. Then student asked GF if she was going to go to St Vincent when they transferred over. GF said she wasn't sure.
Then student tells GF to make sure and let her know if she is coming to St Vincent because the house that they stay at has "like a pool and everything, and like the owner of the house, he has a yatch, and he like says that whenever we wanna go out, he'd like take us. We plan to do like pool parties and stuff, you know".
Typical American student sounding language.
But they live a good life here. Their accommodation has to be air conditioned, and the Grenadians who build apartments to rent to the students make a killing. Sometimes, some of the housing may not be top grade here, so in the earlier years, students would pay a premium for a nice place. A one bedroom could easily be rented for US$500 per month. I heard of one guy who has property almost next to the university who started out with a couple rooms, and now he has 12 two bedrooms which he charges US$1,000 for, so every month he collects US$12,000 just so. That's a huge amount of money here.
I wish the university remains here, because a lot of economic life would be disturbed.
After working until 1:30 this morning, I called down to tell them not to clean my room until in the afternoon. I knew I was going to try and have a good night's sleep. I turned on the AC (I normally sleep without it), locked up the windows so no sound would come in, and fell asleep in no time.
When I woke up, after a terrible dream involving a Grenadian ortho doctor who works in Jamaica (you'll hear about that some other time, if I remember), the first thing I did was look at the clock. 10:37!!! Yeahhh. I had slept for about 9 hours. Splendiferous.
Now it was time to cook. At the market yesterday, I bought white yam, onions, garlic, escallion married with thyme (you can hardly get thyme separate here), seasoning peppers (very flavourful but not peppery), okras, pumpkin, tomatoes, sweet pepper, my beloved plantains and grapefruits. Then I went into Foodland and bought saltfish, oil, one mango juice and I saw veggie mince.
Breakfast this morning was one of my favourites. Saltfish with all them seasonings I mentioned, boiled yam, fried plantains and tea. I lazed around for the whole day. Working late last night was to ensure that I didn't have to work today. After movie watching (I watched all of HEAT with Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro for about the 20th time!) I said I would go to the beach, but sadly it rained.
I was supposed to cook the veggie mince, okras, pumpkin and oh, I forgot I bought sweet potato as well, but I felt too lazy after the supermarket trip. I therefore ordered steamed fish with vegetables instead. And it's waiting on me, so bye for this week.
Oh, a note about Robert DeNiro....
That man is fine, fine, fine. I sat there salivating at him. I would entangle myself with him in a heartbeat. And I hear he likes women of colour too. But lawks the man was darn sexy in HEAT. Brought out the heat in me for sure.
So cooked breakfast and a hot guy made for a perfect Sunday.
When I went into the supermarket the other day, I saw SELF magazine and Oprah. I said to myself that I must come back and get them on Saturday.
Saturday I walked down to the ABM, got some cash, rode the bus into town, went to the market, bought 'stuff' which you'll read about in another entry, took the bus back up to Grand Anse, but didn't have enough cash to get the magazines. The people in that supermarket don't know my cheques (I still have Grenadian bank accounts).
Today, Sunday, I sat 'home' all day thinking about these magazines. But I still didn't have enough cash and I didn't feel like walking it all the way down to the ABM. It was then that I had a AHA! moment. I got on the telephone, called down to Reception and asked if they would change a cheque for EC$30. Yes!!!!!!!!
Off I skipped to the supermarket. I carried my knapsack because it would hide the fact that I changed money to buy an O! Magazine. I felt ashamed, sort of. When I got to the supermarket, the SELF was finished. I like that magazine because it has a pull-out exercise section. I have a few that I carried with me from previous issues. Anyway, Dr Phil was on Good Housekeeping, which I generally buy, so I was happy.
I took up some other stuff too....apples, water, Diet 7 Up, newspaper. When I looked, the O magazine was EC$25 and not EC$21 as I thought. Well, I wasn't putting it back, so I told the cashier to stop at EC$50. It meant that I had to put back the water and the soda. No worries. Long as I have O, I'm cool
It's after 8pm here in Grenada. I was up in my room and felt the ice cream bug bite. Blame it on PMS. The hotel only had Vanilla and as I can get that anywhere, I had decided to pass on it earlier. So sitting up in my room, I remembered that the supermarket down the road was still open, and they sell local ice cream. Yup....I picked up my key, took a little money and off I went walking to the supermarket, in the dark I might add.
Would I ever think of doing this in Jamaica? Hell no! And I was walking I was thinking that the only thing I was afraid of was falling into a pot hole in the unlit section of the road, or the cow which I almost didnt see, bumping into me. Well I guess it would be me bumping into him since he was there first!
The only odd moment was as I was walking into the mall, a big belly fella (you know, the type that I would never even look on twice) said 'Hi Sweetie' or some other suggestive thing. Seconds later he is behind me asking if I am from here, blah blah blah. Turns out he's Guyanese. It figured. A Grenadian man isn't likely to be bold enough to do something like that.
Now I fear for this island. Sad to say this, but everywhere you turn, it's Jamaican music you hear. Combine that with BET which they have and....well....let's just hope the government's social programmes can circumvent that. Yes, I'm saying that the Jamaican/BET influence is not the best thing in the world for building sound morals.
Anyway, my ice cream is melting.
F-R-E-E-D-O-M!
Just a quick note to say hi and bye.
I'm in love with Grenada still.
Packing, packing and more packing. Sounds like I'm going with many 'grips' right? Nah. Just a large suitcase, a medium size suitcase and the carry on along with my laptop.
Air Jamaica, like BWIA, have dropped the weight allowance for Economy passengers to two bags @ 50lbs each. Previously you were allowed two @ 70lbs each. However, in Air Jamaica first class, you're allowed the 70lbs weight which I'm happy for.
Do you know that it's only US$70 or thereabouts to upgrade from Economy to First Class if you have a year ticket? Yup. The first time my travel was being paid for, my sister gave me that tip. She used to work at one of the airlines then. So I paid the difference to upgrade and have done so almost every time that my travel is being paid for.
For me, First Class is not for the champagne or free wine...it is for the space, the extra weight allowance ( and you know with my body weight being what it is, I need that!), and the space. Oh, I said that already. Also, the late check in, the departure lounge, and for who you might see in there that could be a contact. But I haven't quite learnt how to work contacts yet, so that's neither here nor there.
What else have I been doing? Running around doing errands, mostly consisting of fitting clothes, arguing with tailors and dress makers and of course in that process, there are a few drivers to curse inwardly.
I took some fabric to a well known tailoring establishment. It was the first time they were making a jacket for me. Previously they had made some pants and I swore I would never go back. But when you want a well constructed professional looking jacket, a proper tailoring establishment is the only place to go I think. Do you know it took me four trips there for them to finally get it right?
So when I was leaving on the third trip, I saw the owner and I told him that he will have to deduct something for the amount of gas I was using up coming to him all these times. He said he would be there today so I was to check with him. He took off J$500, so that was appreciated. But their system needs changing. There is a breakdown between those who take the instructions from the customer, and those who sew. One of the times I was there, I witnessed a young lady being very upset. She came to try on two skirts and they were flared skirts. She said she told them very clearly that she didn't want a flared skirt and sure enough when you look at the instructions, it said NO FLARE (or is it FLAIR?). That leads me to think that the tailors cannot read.
Seriously. Owners and managers do not look at the competencies required to do a particular job and then hire for that. They just take a man who say him used to sew at Mr John Black tailor shop, just because he says he has experience. For this job, the tailor needs to be able to read, calculate measurements, be dextrous, operate a pair of scissors and a sewing machine, etc etc. So a good element to add to this interview is to make him, under observation, cut a garment, sew it and adjust it by X inches.
Anyway, I am rambling. Let me finish up. I went to cricket yesterday and today as well. Unfortunately I won't be able to see any of Jamaica's home matches in the upcoming four day regional tournament. That is always a nice break, especially when they are playing in the rural parts. I should be able to see one of the Windwards matches though, so at least I will see some cricket.
Ok, it's tres warm. Must get back to the packing. Enjoy your weekend.
That's how long it will take me to be elsewhere in the Caribbean.
See the pitter patter of my yamfeet here..... making its slow exit out of this hellhole they call Jamaica. When will they come walking back in here? Who knows.
Well, I tell you. How opinions change. The first time I came here I was not impressed. That was either 1990 or 1991. The source of my dislike was that there were no mountains. No greenery like how I knew it.
Fast forward about nine years when I came back for a weekend while I was living in Grenada. Perhaps it was its contrast to the quiet laidbackness of Grenada, but I had a fantastic time. Princess P ensured that I was well looked after.
So I have been making frequent trips to Barbados since then. I must have gone over 10 by now.
What I like is the ease with which I can get around. Public transportation is great, though I haven't taken it yet on this trip. This is the because the road that I would have to walk up after I get off the bus has no sidewalks, and it narrow. I don't want you all reading that the yamfooted travelling one was squashed in Bimshire.
So today I took a taxi from town. I chose an elderly gentleman from the stand beside the Chefette near the Boardwalk. I figure he wouldn't be able to jump on me, though no such fears are necessary here.
Well, the dear gentleman turns out to be a huge cricket fan. What was on his mind?
1. They should have played Chris Gayle in the World XI match last night. "Oi jes love he" declared Mr Taxi Driver
2. Tell the Jamaican bowlers tomorrow that they must not bowl to Chanderpaul's leg stump because he is very strong on the on-side (Dr D, is ok if you don't understand!)
I shall certainly deliver that message because Jamaica has not managed to win any of the two matches it has played!
I got in yesterday and headed straight up to the ground in Crab Hill in the north. After rain interrupted play, the two spinners pegged back the Windwards (my second team) and we were on our way to victory. Then one of the fast bowlers came back on, picked up a wicket and he obviously got carried away and started to pitch it up short.
Rawl Lewis was in vintage mode (such a nice chappie) and hit everything out of the park. One over went for 23 runs! That pretty much sealed it.
Jamaica must do better against Guyana tomorrow, or else they have no chance of going into the semi finals.
As you know, I was just in Antigua (am now in Bimshire).
The check in at the hotel was great, but then it went downhill after that. The hotel had apparently been closed for a month for upgrade and had just reopened that day.
My air conditioning unit stopped working and that happened twice. So they changed me. The mini bar fridge didn't work (still isn't). But I was willing to overlook that, especially with my experience in hotel renovations.
However, the evening of the event I went to cover, I wanted to file my story. There is a dial up connection you can set up, however it was not working.
On my computer are several connections from my travels around the islands. I had one from St Kitts which I tried and it worked. Bingo. But lo and behold, a call to a neighbouring island was billed at US$1.00 per minute! Ludicrous!
Time to test this hotel's service recovery policy. You know what service recovery is? It's what a company does when a customer expresses dissatisfaction.
The night before departure, I filled out a guest comment card and wrote a separate note to the GM to say this cost was ridiculous and as a working journalist (that sounds nice doesn't it) I would appreciate anything he could do to reduce the cost, which having been to Antigua several times I knew to be not anywhere near US$1.00 per minute.
That night, I also filled out my form for room service breakfast and left it at Reception as instructed.
Well, the morning of my departure, 7:30am comes and no breakfast. I wait 15 minutes (as they indicate that that is the time within they will deliver orders). I call the restaurant only to hear that they have not received an order for me. I eventually get it at about 8:15am. Note that the driver was to have picked me up at 8:30am for the airport trip. Had to ask him to come at 9:00am.
Naturally, I wrote another note to the GM and when the tray was delivered I asked the server to take it to the GM. On the envelope was the fact that I was leaving at 9:00am.
So I go to check out. The telephone calls are on it as is. So I comment "oh, the GM isn't doing anything about the calls huh". The lady said that he wanted to see me before I left.
After waiting a few minutes on him, he came and was extremely apologetic about all the problems. Then he bowled me over by saying he was quite happy to take off all the telephone charges! I told him I would be quite happy with a 50% reduction but he insisted. Who was I to protest?
So from a point of me thinking that I would write very travel website and tell them about these faults, this hotel's service recovery method ensured that I will always recommend that hotel in Antigua....highly!
Moral of the story....
As a customer, you have the right to express your dissatisfaction. Please do not be afraid to use that right. As a hotel person myself, I would rather hearing that a guest has a problem, than having them checkout and not know. That could be very detrimental to the hotel's reputation.
I don't like to use that term "small islands' because from a Jamaican perspective, it is usually used derogatorily.
But there is nothing negative about these Eastern Caribbean islands I can assure you.
One of the things I like is being able to see the water from most places you are.
This was the view from my hotel room in Antigua (it was a bleak day)
Sunday coming I jumping pon a BWIA plane
Destination is Antigua
Then on Tuesday I jumping pon anodder plane
This time to Bimshire
In two two's I will be back on The Rock
To see what mischief has been created while I am gone
(or to see if we have relinquished our hold on the top spot in murder capitals of theh world)
Back on the 11th, by which time it will be only 11 days left for my birthday.
Not sure about internet connectivity so oonu dont expect no post from me after Sunday.
Oh. Mission: Cricket.
Just read this story about the catching of a car thief in Grenada.
Is a trini man to. Him don't know that you can tief cyar but yuh cyant hide!
Actually, when I went to live there, I felt that there was a lot of opportunity for crime. I pictured some Jamaicans moving in and just salivating over how much they could steal. But is the Trinis and Vincentians who have come.
No joke. Usually many of the crimes committed have Trinidadian and Vincentian connection. None from Barbados or Guyana.
Was just having a conversation with larr about regional integration, stemming from a story where some Guyanese were refused entry into Barbados. I said the only place I have had 'problems' is Trinidad. Them well strict I find.
When I went down this last time here in June, I popped over to Grenada. I went back to Trinidad on a Friday and my flight to Jamaica was Sunday. The immigration lady asked me what was the purpose of my visit. Told her it was to catch my flight home.
Her next question floored me....
So there is no flight to Jamaica on Saturday?
I told her I wanted to relax and that the flight was very early in the morning. Then afterward I said to her jokingly "so you don't want me to spend any extra time in your country?" I think she was embarrassed by that. She sheepishly said something. But I was incensed, really I was.
Did I tell you that when I was leaving on the 5th that the flight was delayed by 5 hours? Yup. That gave me a chance to go to cricket on Day 3 of the Test match between Pakistan and the West Indies.
So on the way back up last Sunday, I was just hoping that there would be another delay. This was because it would take me an hour from where I was staying in the North East, and the flight was at 7:00am. Do the math and you will realize that I had to wake up at 3:00am. Anyway, after calling BWIA twice the evening before, they assured me that there was no delay.
Shucks. I barely got any sleep.
Arrived at Piarco at 5:00am. Checked in quickly, bought some tea and a cookie, drank the tea, bought a book for Niecy then made my way on to the plane. I was wearing the same Sony Ericsson polo shirt that I wore from Jamaica (why complicate things with having to find something else to wear?). As I reached near the plane door, a man stopped and asked me if I worked there because he has a phone that blah blah blah blah. I had to disappoint he.
In row 8, I had the aisle seat on the left of the plane. A man was at the window but he got off in Bimshire, so I had the row to myself until Antigua when a couple got in. I told them that if no one came for row 7 which was empty, I would move there in order to give them more space.
No sooner had I said that than a man came and claimed the window seat in Row 7. He had on one of them sports outfit, sleeveless, and rings on every finger he owns. A baby was in the bulkhead in Row 5 and chose then to start crying. Mr Sky Juice (my brother says that is his name - he is some music person) says "hey baby, nuh badda wid di noise today yuh nuh, caw mi 'ungry". Don't ask me about the connection between hunger and the baby crying.
In order for this to be easier to read, I will now do some bullet points of my observations on the flight..
* Purser Joan making many mistakes in her announcements. Saw her rushing on to flight about 1/2 hour before departure. She must be confuffled.
* Why di ass people don't ensure their crap gets flushed properly when they use the toilet? Jeez man. Now I have to spend time wetting toilet paper and slapping it on the residue to try and encourage it down when I flush. Phew....there is no one waiting outside to think that it was me who don it.
* BWIA must be conserving. No food until the last sector from Antigua to Kingston. No, that is not jerk chicken, as the flight attendant announced.
* Hey...in the Express newspaper, mention is made of Thomas Thistlewood's diaries. I like it when I recognize some obscure sounding book that I have read. (That is the diary of an English plantation owner in the 18th century in Jamaica. I have written about that book on this blog, so do a search and you'll find it).
* Wait! Isn't that Jimmy Aboud? He's a big fabric store owner in Trinidad. Syrian. Very rich. What he doing sitting in Cattle Class? Well I guess that is how come he has money!
* How do people travel with young breast feeding babies? That must be inconvenient. The baby in Row 5 started to holler again. From row 7, Mr Sky Juice says "Mammi, di baby want tea....or juice.......or titty". He probably was right on the latter.
* Realize that the row behind me is almost empty so I migrate there. A woman is reading a French magazine, so I assume she is French, but when I see her eating her meal I have to wonder. She ate the salad first! Usually, the French eat the salad after the main course, so by that rule, I am French.
* What a talkative Antiguan lady in row 10! I tune her out and read my Oprah. Oprah is good company on a flight.
So we land ontime, on Father's Day. I was dog tired when I reached home but I was determined to empty every suitcase. This was achieved.
Till my next BWIA flight episode, which should be in about two months or so, this is the Flight Watcher saying "over and out".
In Trinidad, they have Route taxis, just like in Jamaica.
On the Friday after the course, a group of us took one into downtown Port of Spain. A nice old man. Quite coincidentally, he was at the taxi stand when we were ready a couple hours later. The 3 others were staying at the Normandie Hotel, so he dropped them there first, then dropped me up to the house in Cascade where I was staying. The normal fare for stops along the route is TT$3. So when we got up the hill to my house, I asked him how much extra it was for me and he said TT$10. So I thought that was $13, but he said no.....TT$10 in total for my trip.
Not having bought enough fabric on Friday, on Saturday morning I went back into town (got a ride with landlady). Coming back now, I see an available taxi. I ask him how much to go to Springbank Avenue in Cascade. He said how much you normally pay. I say $10. He said "can you give me $15?". I said no (because I didnt have that much TT and since I had paid $10 the previous day). He said ok, he would take me.
So after he drops off some other passengers, he turns off and then we drive. When we turn on to Springbank and start going up the hill, he said is supposed to be $20 because it is off the route. I told him I didnt have that much, and that was precisely the reason I asked him BEFORE I got into the taxi, how much the ride was. He said I didnt tell him we had to go "inside" (that means off the main road). I told him I was a visitor, and didn't know that that