tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2209582826305365862024-03-13T11:08:10.468-04:00Digressions: island POVAllison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-50537064484474727032013-11-04T17:32:00.001-04:002013-11-04T17:32:55.586-04:00What I’ll Miss. What I’ll Forget.
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I think I already covered my bases previously about my
long absences on here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took on quite a
bit this last term, from Christmas knitting projects to Christmas art pieces to
the most significant photography project I’ve ever been a part of (and, incidentally,
created).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of that combined with my
efforts to plan our departure (which includes selling most of our possessions
in Grenada) and our arrival (getting our hands on a car as soon as we get back
to the States has been the biggest headache so far) means that I’ve been stuck
at home most days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I’d like to
get out more and swim in the sea and volunteer and just hang out with friends,
but those social and recreational urges are being smothered pathetically by my
manic need to prepare for life back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I keep looking at our return as the jarring moment when my life gets <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can’t help but think to myself, “Oh [<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">expletive</i>]!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What have I accomplished in the past two
years?!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So that’s been the goal this term—apply myself to
building whatever marketable skills I have that are going to help us through these
next few years as we continue to move to … wherever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since self-employment is the most obvious
decision for me for a family that can guarantee no permanent address, I think I
made the right decision in what skills to hone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At least I can say that we are getting out at least four
times a week for a nice run around the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we’re actually getting better with that
also!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once a week, we run an extended
loop around a cute neighborhood nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a perfect 7+ mile run through fairly quiet streets lined with trees
and flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also a pretty
strenuous route since it includes a few ridiculous hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m convinced that there is no limit on a
hill’s grade in Grenada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And running up
Campeche hill, I’ve sworn to myself a few times that it must be some insane
grade that’s simply not legal in the States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, still, in the past three weeks, Ivan and I have shaved 5 minutes
off of that run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just one week after
Ivan said he didn’t think we’d break a certain time, we broke it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit, it was a pretty great
feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately I don’t think the
same thing will happen with our shorter runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As it turns out, I’m awful at running short distances and can barely
keep up with Ivan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But after about the
fifth mile, I could run forever!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We made it to a couple more hashes since my last post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d like to go to more, but they tend to get
a little pricey with the cost of transportation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few weeks ago we went to a hash along the
northern edge of the island, right next to Rivers Antoine Rum Distillery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bus got us there about 40 minutes
late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since hashes involve running
through unfamiliar wooded areas, following scant piles of shredded paper, it’s
important that all hashers finish before nightfall, lest they get lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we showed up 40 minutes late, we were
told that we had to take the walkers’ trail because we wouldn’t have time to
finish the runners’ trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We resigned
ourselves to that and started along at a decent pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we reached the split for the runners and
walkers, we decided to go for it and veered off onto the runners’ path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We picked up our pace more, having no idea
how long the trail was or if we’d make it back before nightfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ran through the rum distillery’s grounds
and looped back onto the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just
when I thought it was time to open up and really push for the last couple
miles, we reached the finish!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently
it was 5 miles, but we finished with plenty of time to spare!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A little over a week ago, we completed the 800<sup>th</sup>
hash. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were five trails in total—something
to fit every level of fitness since the big hashes tended to draw larger crowds.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The venue was the Balthazar River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The turnout was stupendous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I stuck together and took on the
fifth trail—the iron man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only
6.5 miles compared to last year’s 8.5-mile iron man at the 750<sup>th</sup>
hash (which we barely completed before nightfall). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, we were pretty strong throughout
and kept a great pace, despite the trail having an unnaturally disproportionate
amount of uphill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One part towards the
beginning was a very steep decline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
group bottlenecked there as hashers had to hold onto palm leaves and roots and
bamboo to lower themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently
while I was waiting, a number of ants decided to devour the back of my
thigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the crowd thinned and we
slid to the bottom, I washed up in the river, but the damage was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For days, the bites became worse and blossomed
into purple welts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More bites rose on my
collarbone and shoulders and lower back; but they weren’t ant bites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were little groups of painful light
bumps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there were the mosquito and
sandfly bites on my legs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I guess the only thing I managed to wash off in the river
that afternoon was the DEET.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of the
bites bothered me that night, though, and we had a whole lot of fun at the
hash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food was good and the company
was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just before we left, the
Grenadian Prime Minister stopped by to say hi to the hashers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall it was a pretty cool evening.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This week Ivan and his peers have their second set of
midterms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In five short weeks, they will
begin taking their finals and will complete their first two years of medical
school (the theory of medicine) and prepare to move on to clinical rotations
(the practice of medicine).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week,
the list of hospitals for clinical rotations was finally released to the
students, so now we know what our options are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today, the clinical location request form was sent out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means we can submit our three top choices
for clinical rotation locations!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we
have to wait until April 15<sup>th</sup> (2-4 weeks before clinical rotations
start) to find out where we got placed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At that point, we begin our mad scramble to find housing and start
moving yet again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Before any of that, Ivan will spend three full months
studying for his U.S. Medical Licensing Exam Step 1—the gateway to the second
half of medical school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Step 1 is a pretty big
deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, it’s a pretty monumental deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It encompasses everything learned in the
first two years of med school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless
to say, that’s a lot and requires a lot of studying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing this, we decided that it would be
best for us to have our own place while back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan needs to feel comfortable and
undistracted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not suggesting that
our families are distracting when we live with them, but living in someone else’s
home is in itself a distraction, despite how gracious they always are!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan’s mom has been kind enough to allow us to
move back into our old house (which has been on the market since we left) while
we’re back in Erie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re borrowing large
furniture from friends and most everything else we need is stored with family,
waiting for us when we get back!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-JU84Yigp4an20sqYz7JvX02KCFvsIRTreBlBWSqRbcc2_A3aKK40lHLVMN1Et7OZKSMOs2Njq5tB82O8HJHMwpvsD98ZoCeTU_K3DhjlrNya-8dLMwBEokm-SnHKT7toOqgKs2_Jbw/s1600/20130707-IMG_6599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-JU84Yigp4an20sqYz7JvX02KCFvsIRTreBlBWSqRbcc2_A3aKK40lHLVMN1Et7OZKSMOs2Njq5tB82O8HJHMwpvsD98ZoCeTU_K3DhjlrNya-8dLMwBEokm-SnHKT7toOqgKs2_Jbw/s1600/20130707-IMG_6599.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We also put one Babe dog in storage when we left and she,
too, is waiting for us to pick her up the day we get into Erie so she can
welcome us back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a few
serious scares with her,<o:p></o:p></div>
but it’s starting to look like everything is going to
work out and she’ll be back with her mommy and daddy in her old home in no
time!<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ivan and I are getting gradually more and more excited
about returning home as the date grows closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Living in Grenada has been an amazing and awesome experience, but two
years is perfectly long enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
welcome the next adventure and traveling to new countries is something I always
hope to do, but I might draw the line at any visit over six months long.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>From the outside, I can understand how Grenada may seem
like paradise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It certainly has many
qualities you may equate with paradise: beautiful beaches, palm trees, ocean
sunsets, hammocks and sand and pina coladas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But two years later, nothing has changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The birds are the same; the trees are the same;
the weather never changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a girl who
grew up in a temperate climate with deciduous trees, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need</i> something different!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
haven’t seen the leaves change since 2011!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want to see cardinals in the winter and robins in the summer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to hear red-wing blackbirds in my
parents’ field and watch the undulating formations of hundreds of
starlings!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I hear rustling next to
me, I want it to be a bunny, not a lizard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want to live in a country where eating opossum and iguana generally
isn’t practiced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to be able to buy
three pounds of turkey for Thanksgiving for less than $22usd (yes, that
happened).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to drink from a
water fountain without the seawater aftertaste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want to plug in appliances without wondering if our transformer is
going to fry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t experienced a
true winter since 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know I
might get sick of it and might long for the beaches here, but I also might wrap
up in a fluffy robe with a mug of hot cocoa, sit down with my sweet dog and
just watch the snowflakes tumble down outside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXzCuNq3Q6j0gqQCAzVJ_5XBs_VfvObkdT_zNgbFQiPL96eMWnTFCXs3qxLZawY3nWnzaAyE4erNs9K6uI5Vmd6znWy7krUOEQBUj_4vY2xpiPCPgbcgmtAofNaxkwbzwqoPnNMhY63E/s1600/IMG_8900_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXzCuNq3Q6j0gqQCAzVJ_5XBs_VfvObkdT_zNgbFQiPL96eMWnTFCXs3qxLZawY3nWnzaAyE4erNs9K6uI5Vmd6znWy7krUOEQBUj_4vY2xpiPCPgbcgmtAofNaxkwbzwqoPnNMhY63E/s1600/IMG_8900_1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, yeah, I’m looking forward to going home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’m sorry about the
lack of photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A series of unfortunate
events has landed me with no point-and-shoots.</span>Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-68010009236040035792013-09-30T14:10:00.001-04:002013-09-30T14:10:08.606-04:00My Parents Finally Visited (Part Two)
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…continued from the previous post<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Split Three: A Couple
More Tours<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJUi9RplLdg1lz72b5mgNmJJ9OgA4kNCRdwtwFVaa-53CuClhQOhG0jKvGX2IXWxlaP4oxFQSq3kXdQOra-1cTQk6LFfvBtDR-20LPZ3bCAShQ5tcgDdBylezDHZxarLe7uOIVJzfYTE/s1600/IMG_3392-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJUi9RplLdg1lz72b5mgNmJJ9OgA4kNCRdwtwFVaa-53CuClhQOhG0jKvGX2IXWxlaP4oxFQSq3kXdQOra-1cTQk6LFfvBtDR-20LPZ3bCAShQ5tcgDdBylezDHZxarLe7uOIVJzfYTE/s1600/IMG_3392-2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Sunday
after the hash, Ivan and I took the day off while Mom and Dad went on a kayak
tour around Woburn Bay and Hog Island (around the southern edge of the island).
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a blast and really enjoyed
working with the tour guides.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
evening, we had our “fancy dinner” at the University Club in L’Ance aux Epines
(pronounced <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">lance</b>-uh-peen, by the
way).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived at the club a little
early and walked along the small beach at Prickly Bay, behind the UC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun had already set (6:30pm sunsets
here), but we still got a few pictures on the dock.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dinner was
excellent, even if the service was a little slow (hello, Grenada).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried the catch of the day and split
desserts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we each got to sample a
breaded swordfish with papaya chutney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Very tasty!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
following day, we relaxed for the most part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mom and Dad snorkeled around Grand Anse, though there isn’t much to see
in the crystal clear waters along that beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of the day we spent in the capital, St. George, where Mom and Dad
shopped for their souvenirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They got to
meet my “spice lady” at the spice market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They took their time considering everyone they wanted to buy for and got
a lot of really thoughtful gifts (including a little steel drum for my nephew)!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On Tuesday,
Leslie, our taxi driver, picked us up for a second island tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(There is a surprisingly large amount to see
on an island so small!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First we stopped
by Fort George, in the capital, and quickly toured the historic remains.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLztwLJRoxFRM0N9O3Dh5LbtWNQIQg-CJdO6Bl8ivd0lSjSRJLoBfhiOXLd6WFF21d30HEQOG3sNY7DHPDcUK3drFRyn0kGprCXb3tvHkBLs4mm0-ZlsMPpMk727Z8bgjBU8PDOFyE784/s1600/IMG_8498-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLztwLJRoxFRM0N9O3Dh5LbtWNQIQg-CJdO6Bl8ivd0lSjSRJLoBfhiOXLd6WFF21d30HEQOG3sNY7DHPDcUK3drFRyn0kGprCXb3tvHkBLs4mm0-ZlsMPpMk727Z8bgjBU8PDOFyE784/s1600/IMG_8498-2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next, we
made our way north and visited Concord Falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was especially fun for me as I had never been to these falls before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too bad we didn’t know that jumping and
swimming was permitted at Concord Falls; none of us thought to bring
swimwear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pool is eighteen feet deep
and there is a nice ledge setup for people to jump off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we waded through the shallower areas
to take pictures of the large waterfall above the pool, and admired the
cascading falls further down.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cdQ3_uJT3_LFuJchaVy5Xz-452uQTMNxLJSu8mGC2XMyNoQIzuJPMyypjjs9KkKs1vDDIXPvZ4oFh42lRY1njqN1aV3jZW-5kPJ2c7CdXQIihB5nzGHIqhU-sShyphenhyphenpdfJ6AG0UlCyBh8/s1600/IMG_8505-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cdQ3_uJT3_LFuJchaVy5Xz-452uQTMNxLJSu8mGC2XMyNoQIzuJPMyypjjs9KkKs1vDDIXPvZ4oFh42lRY1njqN1aV3jZW-5kPJ2c7CdXQIihB5nzGHIqhU-sShyphenhyphenpdfJ6AG0UlCyBh8/s1600/IMG_8505-2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCY5FyMJhW77M7ZpvQKuSqRq2fNQXn4rMeRDTyYj5hQsNibsqZVzq3PeMKDA_f6gDQsaqScz8oaumn4SUUN4UFQ5QELS_9feGDEX3AGqxtLPghpAHRxhyphenhyphenJpsdLWIHQBtsi3ydywCQBjw/s1600/IMG_8545-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCY5FyMJhW77M7ZpvQKuSqRq2fNQXn4rMeRDTyYj5hQsNibsqZVzq3PeMKDA_f6gDQsaqScz8oaumn4SUUN4UFQ5QELS_9feGDEX3AGqxtLPghpAHRxhyphenhyphenJpsdLWIHQBtsi3ydywCQBjw/s1600/IMG_8545-2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TIFk3nSkMdJjIb00gUadl7oKUTCu82oek79x9XvlPP5TwZunubmHQ_jkwoB8nR-1wEhnAtNZl2JMBCDH3psSYphTAuQPxtwirTD95j4kPtI__XYrppQaZD6vT16JMaDLj2OYoP89kCY/s1600/IMG_8542-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TIFk3nSkMdJjIb00gUadl7oKUTCu82oek79x9XvlPP5TwZunubmHQ_jkwoB8nR-1wEhnAtNZl2JMBCDH3psSYphTAuQPxtwirTD95j4kPtI__XYrppQaZD6vT16JMaDLj2OYoP89kCY/s1600/IMG_8542-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYC2TuvEO3r_7Kog58E8KZxSyklu-0VfznJ7-hToI2rqobLjPOOEhJqDcgNhiDGNriOJv_nm1vBIlmLNoapHhRTjg7mc1xGXR7j-ic43QIsCQZq1ReVck9TOLrAkUpa1B4a4OFx5U690/s1600/IMG_3398-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYC2TuvEO3r_7Kog58E8KZxSyklu-0VfznJ7-hToI2rqobLjPOOEhJqDcgNhiDGNriOJv_nm1vBIlmLNoapHhRTjg7mc1xGXR7j-ic43QIsCQZq1ReVck9TOLrAkUpa1B4a4OFx5U690/s1600/IMG_3398-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next on the
agenda was a quick stop at the fish market in Gouyave (where Leslie held up a
flying fish for us to admire) before moving to the northern tip where we
visited Leapers Hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day was clear
and beautiful, making it a gorgeous trip to the tip of the island where we
could see the active volcano just a few miles off the coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, the weather had only just cleared
up for us as it was a rainy mess when we first arrived in Sauteurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we spent a little time at a nice
restaurant and had some local dishes for lunch while the skies cleared.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3t9151BtYec3Mmca-mdJ_BmvK_zCf2w7gI8t7_PWjuVH7Yqvullho4_cx2dqTy2Uz90iDFqvNzknq_qPzOHe3SbO-zGdh185j3Xx_QA8jGBtG0eFPN9jSQSkcGZn9d-PEoShp4nYX4ow/s1600/IMG_8563-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3t9151BtYec3Mmca-mdJ_BmvK_zCf2w7gI8t7_PWjuVH7Yqvullho4_cx2dqTy2Uz90iDFqvNzknq_qPzOHe3SbO-zGdh185j3Xx_QA8jGBtG0eFPN9jSQSkcGZn9d-PEoShp4nYX4ow/s1600/IMG_8563-2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa0GxmBstsbMlZWWYqkm4Pds5S__2N2K01nRJhiSUItHwczs8iuOwqsKhAfFnNtGPKIWR1v9rOhadqkQeRfFTCeYRfv47Q99aTAvb-tRL0-8gmPjkDCakEnT8J6NUjduBDuyn5QQU-R4/s1600/IMG_8590-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa0GxmBstsbMlZWWYqkm4Pds5S__2N2K01nRJhiSUItHwczs8iuOwqsKhAfFnNtGPKIWR1v9rOhadqkQeRfFTCeYRfv47Q99aTAvb-tRL0-8gmPjkDCakEnT8J6NUjduBDuyn5QQU-R4/s1600/IMG_8590-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
Leapers Hill in Sauteurs, we looped around the east coast and made a quick stop
at Levera Beach, where the critically endangered leatherback sea turtles
nest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not nesting season now, so
there were no signs of the turtles, but the view was worth the stop.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next we
went to Rivers Antoine Rum Distillery where we had a tour of the distillery and
got to see the step-by-step process of producing rum from sugarcane grown in
nearby fields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process that Rivers
follows is the same that was followed centuries ago, from the waterwheel power
to bottling the rum by hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterward,
Mom and Dad tried some of their overproof 75% rum as well as some rum punch (I
opted out, having stripped my throat with the stuff previously).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YCpab2dQ-LtxuiRCjYtHWMXF_rFZJeWJM73RokQLQnVFoNK9f7WvwC7dIKfVECXoBeGKZks_MxmbgtX9hFgkpBD6mIxVz4d_nAOPcKef0t2riOp0jPwoVPb2bOhhN9vcEYoFbt9jvIU/s1600/IMG_8656-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YCpab2dQ-LtxuiRCjYtHWMXF_rFZJeWJM73RokQLQnVFoNK9f7WvwC7dIKfVECXoBeGKZks_MxmbgtX9hFgkpBD6mIxVz4d_nAOPcKef0t2riOp0jPwoVPb2bOhhN9vcEYoFbt9jvIU/s1600/IMG_8656-2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After the
distillery, we made our way back to True Blue where we met Ivan at De Big Fish
for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There we had lobster
Thermadore, one of the best dishes I’ve had on the island, and even managed to
cram a piece of cake in our overstuffed bellies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Split Four: The Last
Day<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPC2nHweDw947JxtKa8N5scVQYZM8BrBGAote2wBzeTZdsOzhVd975PeP8Wtmn91lLOX6SJuiYsgp3IIR8h-CPJMtkmXYBGpYe-NwjRGR4gDVb5ksKZPF_Sk0MiEZGtEqhyjGjbbz-jOo/s1600/IMG_8674-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPC2nHweDw947JxtKa8N5scVQYZM8BrBGAote2wBzeTZdsOzhVd975PeP8Wtmn91lLOX6SJuiYsgp3IIR8h-CPJMtkmXYBGpYe-NwjRGR4gDVb5ksKZPF_Sk0MiEZGtEqhyjGjbbz-jOo/s1600/IMG_8674-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The last
day for Mom and Dad came far too fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All of a sudden it was Wednesday and they were leaving on Thursday
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom and Dad spent that last day
together, packing and enjoying a little more of the beautiful beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That evening, we went on the sunset tour: a
two-hour catamaran trip along the southern tip of the island while the sun
sets.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoSQFVLqR4aR69No_skBNJzMhK0SBqACmvTHu8NAuC_KuaC8B2E9hpxrDnOGEYUmeD6GeLet0YZU-YAclHJ6CrhVUu4bAVFfW1M6F67AzVhVkdh6DEahSEZZk-a3uIVtwCjQL1vAoqQo/s1600/IMG_8734-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoSQFVLqR4aR69No_skBNJzMhK0SBqACmvTHu8NAuC_KuaC8B2E9hpxrDnOGEYUmeD6GeLet0YZU-YAclHJ6CrhVUu4bAVFfW1M6F67AzVhVkdh6DEahSEZZk-a3uIVtwCjQL1vAoqQo/s1600/IMG_8734-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSdcaAMRGRhVj1PtXDBhhuwd5GWH1-mUcWlyIDLhTjHqoCgP17TpZGLb-KxPeiHsHj9GD_Yi811PCPrt5drS-k5kD3yVHu2WiYBvxbHXXfbSa4bQeti0LhBHFiVdX6jqQOC8FQ2QPqEA/s1600/IMG_8747-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSdcaAMRGRhVj1PtXDBhhuwd5GWH1-mUcWlyIDLhTjHqoCgP17TpZGLb-KxPeiHsHj9GD_Yi811PCPrt5drS-k5kD3yVHu2WiYBvxbHXXfbSa4bQeti0LhBHFiVdX6jqQOC8FQ2QPqEA/s1600/IMG_8747-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxUNfHo0PD6AOW0hGIEa3LXvvDgaO0UPI6wNKKvB10DmSNsOVgyGEdyV3Vb9Nimsi57BRUSNWP1ChCWjGmsUxwks_UyToYMnrxvg2YK6DzonwoDty4BLIOVO-1Hi8YCp5JNI1r8XnL6E/s1600/IMG_8714-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxUNfHo0PD6AOW0hGIEa3LXvvDgaO0UPI6wNKKvB10DmSNsOVgyGEdyV3Vb9Nimsi57BRUSNWP1ChCWjGmsUxwks_UyToYMnrxvg2YK6DzonwoDty4BLIOVO-1Hi8YCp5JNI1r8XnL6E/s1600/IMG_8714-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The trip
was relaxing and the weather was perfect: a little breezy and comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The evening was a little cloudy, so the
sunset wasn’t magnificent, but it was still pretty and we all had a great time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we got
back, we had dinner and ice cream at Rick’s Café (best ice cream ever!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the next morning, Mom and Dad went
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so incredibly happy that they
came to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know they enjoyed
the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wish it didn’t feel so
short!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnNZmYi2wnqKhxgNXmPwkMFiikRpE9MzhG5LxCetVZEch-DLdBcADEhwIejg0Oie_JxTpJe0AzvaiT320Sdzq3XeW17k9K3i3J07J0bz8rQCnE1nSSJjcdVDCrxV83GaOut7mvRhYyFg/s1600/IMG_3405-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnNZmYi2wnqKhxgNXmPwkMFiikRpE9MzhG5LxCetVZEch-DLdBcADEhwIejg0Oie_JxTpJe0AzvaiT320Sdzq3XeW17k9K3i3J07J0bz8rQCnE1nSSJjcdVDCrxV83GaOut7mvRhYyFg/s1600/IMG_3405-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What else has been
going on: I’ve been super busy trying to sell all of our stuff before we leave;
Ivan demolished his first set of midterms; I created a <a href="http://gograyproductions.com/" target="_blank">business website</a>; puppies
at the <a href="http://facebook.com/grenadaspca/" target="_blank">GSPCA</a>!; I created a successful <a href="http://gograyproductions.com/the-studio-studio-project/" target="_blank">photography project</a>; the weather is still
beautiful; I turned thirty; Ivan fixed our blinds for the fourth time; there
are ants in my house that aren’t getting into anything; there is a picture of
my grandparents’ dog, Bingo, hanging on my fridge; won tons for dinner tonight.</span>Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-11286303462024444232013-09-17T14:59:00.003-04:002013-09-17T14:59:40.269-04:00My Parents Finally Visited! (Part One)
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Once again,
it’s been far too long since I’ve last blogged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have a halfway decent excuse, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My parents came to visit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I’ve
been pretty sick for the past couple of weeks (even during their visit, yes)
and am having very little luck shaking the bug (or whatever it is).<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But that’s
not really important or relevant to this post.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Split One:
My parents first couple days<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mom and Dad
flew in on Wednesday evening, September 4<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I met them at the airport and took a
taxi to their resort, The Grenada Grand (<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ü</span>ber swanky!), before
taking an evening stroll down to “Wall Street” (a strip of financial
institutions and other businesses), which is appropriately referred to as “Street
Meat” when night vendors take over the strip and sell meats and drinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had some drinks and got my parents some
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom had grilled tuna and Dad got
barbequed pigtails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds gross,
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprisingly delicious!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On Thursday
we had a pretty relaxing time touring around the campus and swimming in the
crystal waters just outside of their resort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had breakfast at Le Papillion (a French breakfast restaurant) and my
parents got their first real taste of Caribbean heat and humidity.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-KmZfRggdlV4AyLtSq8ydg62Yr44c5GgaAeqsTj7ZYkcnVrXULBhGIsK7BATTLQtzcGMOIGEoU6sxN2JRIEeFtM6OtaQEq-eBvy0fHmH0X873mkZxABy3kL6Mv9bMkOTW48TZD0fTio/s1600/IMG_3291-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-KmZfRggdlV4AyLtSq8ydg62Yr44c5GgaAeqsTj7ZYkcnVrXULBhGIsK7BATTLQtzcGMOIGEoU6sxN2JRIEeFtM6OtaQEq-eBvy0fHmH0X873mkZxABy3kL6Mv9bMkOTW48TZD0fTio/s1600/IMG_3291-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIpf8CGvuLOvVWmXYXCnLAhZcjDLQmrerSEtNZ_goKyAjUN4_P2k_4G0UlGLVC5cPc1njfwCCtOz8sVJ0aOZZUKzoXh2iLaM3RlRQFfiozzT9CZKL176CTPGnAz56URJV_ChbLdEPls4/s1600/IMG_8315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIpf8CGvuLOvVWmXYXCnLAhZcjDLQmrerSEtNZ_goKyAjUN4_P2k_4G0UlGLVC5cPc1njfwCCtOz8sVJ0aOZZUKzoXh2iLaM3RlRQFfiozzT9CZKL176CTPGnAz56URJV_ChbLdEPls4/s1600/IMG_8315.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On Friday,
we went on an island tour with a few friends and Mom and Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited Grenada Rum Distillers (Clarke’s
Court), where Dad and Kevin tried the “White Ball” rum which boasts a 75%
alcohol content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we went to Grand
Etang where we were unfortunately unsuccessful in seeing any monkeys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did bring a few bananas and not for
nothing since there were two very skinny dogs hanging around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After they’d scarfed down the bananas, Kevin
began feeding them some peanut butter crackers he’d brought as a snack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pups seemed pretty pleased about the
meal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We drove
past Pearl’s Airport so my parents could get a glimpse of the old Cuban planes
and the cows tied up to the wreckage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
we continued north, we drove through the city of Grenville where we stopped for
lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our driver, Leslie, knew of a
cafeteria-style restaurant where we were able to fill up on some really
delicious local cuisine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15OC9gdMTSzvhFlpliKOzgVBh2ZbpyYJ6I9K8fP-ikLg_rkmUVljUUNoaN0DzL4KeR8G3QBjogEl1CkFl-gBY_hjSi4QHB3W_q4ha_awJmoHNMacsgKn7eXnebjaNx7h2BtfCI8oND6s/s1600/IMG_8351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15OC9gdMTSzvhFlpliKOzgVBh2ZbpyYJ6I9K8fP-ikLg_rkmUVljUUNoaN0DzL4KeR8G3QBjogEl1CkFl-gBY_hjSi4QHB3W_q4ha_awJmoHNMacsgKn7eXnebjaNx7h2BtfCI8oND6s/s1600/IMG_8351.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next we
visited Belmont Estate Cocoa Plantation where our excellent tour guide was kind
enough to show us the monkeys they keep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So Mom and Dad were able to see some of the Mona monkeys, even if they
didn’t show at Grand Etang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all
bought chocolate candy bars and truffles as souvenirs before heading back out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That was
the end of our island tour for the day; so we had Leslie drop us off at La
Boulangerie (an Italian restaurant with a huge menu of pastas) for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There we ate our fill and headed back out for
one more stop: the Fort Bar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBleaEPTAJ6IbHHz4OGcp5pIu30_amUGAsRYlOCs4msfFHZuXk8scqbK99y9W4wb2Ng74jZHJeogt4atCVvTkROVYeCfS10mOu17qOpK8n7osO48N5nuflhSovilq9oYuH95c2whzTAl0/s1600/IMG_3347-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBleaEPTAJ6IbHHz4OGcp5pIu30_amUGAsRYlOCs4msfFHZuXk8scqbK99y9W4wb2Ng74jZHJeogt4atCVvTkROVYeCfS10mOu17qOpK8n7osO48N5nuflhSovilq9oYuH95c2whzTAl0/s1600/IMG_3347-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
seeing pictures of the creepy spiders (tailless whip scorpions) and dank
tunnels at Fort Matthew, Mom and Dad wanted to check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Friday evening, we made our way to the
fort and spent a couple hours relaxing in the red-lit caves, sipping on cold
drinks and chatting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made our way
through the ruins as well and admired the view of the city from the top of the
fort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below, in the tunnels, with
flashlight on, we scouted for the nightmarish tailless whip scorpion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found a couple husks of dead spiders,
dangling ominously in other spiders’ webs (the tailless whip scorpions are not
spiders and thus do not spin webs).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, Ivan cast the light into a wide hole and there, poised in
mid-attack was a creepy tailless whip scorpion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were all shocked and gave the hole a wide berth to let the scorpion finish
its business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then it didn’t
move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just stayed frozen in a
ferocious stance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad leaned forward and
blew at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scorpion toppled over,
long dead, stuck in an awkwardly aggressive position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We moved on, happy we saw some dead ones, to
at least show Mom and Dad their size and what they look like, but disappointed
also that we weren’t going to see a live one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we made
our way towards the green ambient light of the bar, Ivan stopped and spun the
flashlight beam against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There,
a tailless whip scorpion was slowly creeping towards a crevice in the craggy
tunnel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad broke out his camera and
quickly snapped off a couple of photos while Ivan poked at it with a long piece
of glass to keep it from slipping into the shadowy recesses of the tunnel
wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we successfully got a couple
photos, we let the tailless whip scorpion amble away and we returned to our
drinking stations victorious.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Split two: The hash<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, yeah,
hashing was definitely on the to-do list while Mom and Dad were visiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad’s a pretty enthusiastic runner and takes
to the trails when he can, so hashing seemed to be right up his lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom’s a social butterfly and likes a good
hike as much as the next person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course, not all hashes are created equally and I didn’t know if this particular
hash would turn out to be a nice, moderately difficult hike with beautiful
views, or an outrageously long, backbreaking journey with beautiful views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, my folks were signed up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogvK_gO5ROZ-N8l7auRrEguSWpdF8khmhkPuUBYMrGY_PTAFLPCCuQPe16rg3wXAstQF-_np63zJ30KmxgElugTnWhC1RZWwmSfj_sj1fkG9wsaLaUrefhjFw-0XviwShY3N5viILiyg/s1600/IMG_3369-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogvK_gO5ROZ-N8l7auRrEguSWpdF8khmhkPuUBYMrGY_PTAFLPCCuQPe16rg3wXAstQF-_np63zJ30KmxgElugTnWhC1RZWwmSfj_sj1fkG9wsaLaUrefhjFw-0XviwShY3N5viILiyg/s1600/IMG_3369-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Saturday
afternoon, we caught the bus that took us up the west coast of the island to
(Kirani James’ hometown) Gouyave (pronounced gwav).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom met with the girls she’s be completing
the walkers’ trail with and we all crowded around the hash master as he
delivered news about upcoming events, directions for the hash and (for the
newbies) how to hash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we were ON!
ON!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was still
on a round of pretty potent meds (remember how I mentioned not feeling well?)
and totally overestimated my ability to perform in that state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, even if that were not the case, my
dad still would have smoked us, which he totally did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our first uphill, we lost him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t see him again until we made it to
the finish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The hash
itself was lovely, as usual, with a great mix of terrain and elevation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was some mud, but not much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly we were on grass and dirt trails, with
a little creek action as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met up
with a couple friends, one of which was also a little under the weather, and
kept each other company throughout the rest of the hash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Towards the end, we came across a lone little
(tiny, really) puppy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In keeping with
Grenada’s standard of animal care, the poor thing was drenched in fleas and
underweight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also had a ribbon (red
shoelace, maybe?) tied around its neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The loop was already pretty tight and we could foresee an embedded
collar issue in the very near future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, none of us had a knife or any way to cut the ribbon
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we waited while Nick worked and
worked at the knot and, finally, was able to get the ribbon off of the
puppy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left the little guy there
because we didn’t know if he was owned or if anyone was looking to adopt a
puppy, but at least we were able to take that hazardous noose off of his neck!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGY1BsFaZl3YnpYxsOh11DVc6RIUK27JJqgCfztbTfyl1DKL666Elh4kxlRNVZjcJNNfjIyYroaa2D9Hi5ndgtS0-yQ1YU0sau5OSJ_0sVR5rdfW5OdEHz6HGe4X_VSjJcxgoObGtA8I/s1600/IMG_3382-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGY1BsFaZl3YnpYxsOh11DVc6RIUK27JJqgCfztbTfyl1DKL666Elh4kxlRNVZjcJNNfjIyYroaa2D9Hi5ndgtS0-yQ1YU0sau5OSJ_0sVR5rdfW5OdEHz6HGe4X_VSjJcxgoObGtA8I/s1600/IMG_3382-2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we
arrived at the finish to the usual pumping bass from the dance music blaring
around the drink tents, we found Mom and Dad enjoying some refreshing beers and
watching a local man on stilts dancing in the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all had some oil down (the national dish)
for dinner and enjoyed the post-hash party, which included the de-virginization
ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom and Dad, having been
first-time hashers and, therefore, virgin hashers, were a part of the ending
ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All virgin hashers were called
to the front of the group and addressed by the hash master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He assigned them all a de-virginization
certificate, before the whole group was asked to embrace and ceremonially
sprayed with beer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It may not
sound like fun to everyone out there, but Mom and Dad had a blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just too bad that they were only around
for one hash. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-13353659781198404852013-08-23T15:41:00.006-04:002013-08-23T15:42:31.703-04:00This is the Final Stretch<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We are
back, and so am I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, we’re back
in Grenada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am back on my blog
(figuratively speaking of course, since the Internet isn’t really a physical
location, I couldn’t literally have left), with all of my cynicism intact.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
thirty-seven days in the States, we returned to our petite island on the ninth
of August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then, we’ve been very
slowly unpacking and settling back into the swing of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan’s classes started the Tuesday following
our arrival, giving us a few days to spend with friends before locking back in
to the grind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We started
our few lazy days with a trip north to find some of the hot springs with a
couple friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the northern edge of
the parish of St. Andrew, near Mt. St. Catherine, we found a narrow road that
(according to the locals’ directions) would lead to the hot springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone we spoke with, though, warned our
taxi driver that his car wouldn’t get us far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the narrow road turned to one lane, we idled for a few minutes to
allow oncoming traffic to pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
Hummer stopped and our driver verified with the passenger that we were on the
right road for the hot springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
affirmed, but warned us, “You won’t get far in this car.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>True enough,
we barely made it another quarter-mile before Bertrand had to pull his taxi to
the side and park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed out on foot
to find the springs that were just off the road and easy to spot—or so we had
been told.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Three hours
later, we were back at the taxi, having walked to the end of the trail (at
times dirt, at times gravel, at times pavement) with no sign of the hot
springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We searched every side path,
tested every bit of running water for warmth, even crossed into private
property marked with a “no trespassing” sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were out of luck.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuTUMISkkb9K6BqUqr7DtgqANJeAqUCcIsUNNZk174teoAExI8SyvO4DZq-XTQBI9twnU6Gn4Noq4RoOG81H6HqV0Y_PKJL-8pE9iSMeIpJGqsRNRKrFR6EYS0aMm0vtiHfFDrWtEwx4/s1600/20130810-IMG_7501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuTUMISkkb9K6BqUqr7DtgqANJeAqUCcIsUNNZk174teoAExI8SyvO4DZq-XTQBI9twnU6Gn4Noq4RoOG81H6HqV0Y_PKJL-8pE9iSMeIpJGqsRNRKrFR6EYS0aMm0vtiHfFDrWtEwx4/s1600/20130810-IMG_7501.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even so, we
had a lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found some cocoa
pods and cracked one open to suck on the cocoa beans inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bertrand picked us some wax apples and, when
he wasn’t looking, we threw them at each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We collected nutmeg to take home (and also throw at each other).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we crested a hill to be met by a
couple barking puppies, we found ourselves face to face with a petting
zoo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, it wasn’t open (grand
opening at the end of August), but of all the oddities I’ve seen in Grenada, a
petting zoo located on a road about one mile past its last drivable patch is
certainly peculiar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIzzU-n1pj22u8zb2Ef3cohubmJ5-e2u2Y6AvQcEK9bi49PJEHbfhbzeJdju_nh_Xh0bQehuoCQV2x2T5WDj4R5KZRvjZC4BcZpWtlzYMYFs-FdR2-vWOS60ehoVQk092L_8dMx4qXOQ/s1600/20130810-IMG_7478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIzzU-n1pj22u8zb2Ef3cohubmJ5-e2u2Y6AvQcEK9bi49PJEHbfhbzeJdju_nh_Xh0bQehuoCQV2x2T5WDj4R5KZRvjZC4BcZpWtlzYMYFs-FdR2-vWOS60ehoVQk092L_8dMx4qXOQ/s1600/20130810-IMG_7478.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The walk
turned into more of a hike and its level of difficulty became a little more
apparent when we reached the end of the road and, after waiting futilely for
Bertrand to catch up, Kevin backtracked and found our driver lying down on the
path, trying to catch his breath.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVlnBus3ps03GXsiA54Jp3ElZtzxDOvSK4iC4ZK0rsTRVcdQrIG36AwpApz5-iX0-ErfULpioC6BaYAS4zo5Q90tCyoLvWlri113w0rZ7ZtVI-p6U8pfCdl06PuUxhHXz7U4QPDKyjzo/s1600/20130810-IMG_7471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVlnBus3ps03GXsiA54Jp3ElZtzxDOvSK4iC4ZK0rsTRVcdQrIG36AwpApz5-iX0-ErfULpioC6BaYAS4zo5Q90tCyoLvWlri113w0rZ7ZtVI-p6U8pfCdl06PuUxhHXz7U4QPDKyjzo/s1600/20130810-IMG_7471.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We returned
without finding the springs, but not for lack of trying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we ended the day with dinner and drinks
at a new restaurant (The Junction) near Kevin and Melanie’s (aka Kevanie)
house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As often
happens when I wait too long to write a blog post, I’ve lost track of the
chronology of events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So excuse me while
I blather on about what definitely happened probably out of order.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Enter:
Kevanie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Photo shoot!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ywdzRH9ADCEhtTZUe492d9BaIIFuXvRICIObHfQxIThJ92lhL7-2cRXlLGr6zWqnMbPfHoEO1I4IbGHXpvFv_pBUubKEieatW8Bisc6ToAh0eHbNWOD6hVMeQzTk_sQfhnAs9J0mSF4/s1600/20130812-IMG_7560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ywdzRH9ADCEhtTZUe492d9BaIIFuXvRICIObHfQxIThJ92lhL7-2cRXlLGr6zWqnMbPfHoEO1I4IbGHXpvFv_pBUubKEieatW8Bisc6ToAh0eHbNWOD6hVMeQzTk_sQfhnAs9J0mSF4/s1600/20130812-IMG_7560.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kevanie are
two of the coolest Canadians I’ve ever met, eh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At this point, I almost consider them people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh heck!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who am I kidding?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With their
infectious awesomeness, they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> real
people!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they have the best sense of
humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eh</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a year and a half,
I finally got the chance to do a photo shoot with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, that sense of humor that I find so
appealing made the shoot a little more interesting than most other couples shoots
I’ve done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I would expect no less
from the Kevanie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizD9M8vb42kdHg4lAvklPYdslKHutDa_5C_gFBL-189H7Jm0XN5y9M4Fpj3CqyjsCTNkJt9u7Co813PQqhp8d5pE2cZW1MMXwlIDQUWGJFq94NoI-RTL64zWAEByChv9LRIuzsVZ4Z3dg/s1600/20130812-IMG_7698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizD9M8vb42kdHg4lAvklPYdslKHutDa_5C_gFBL-189H7Jm0XN5y9M4Fpj3CqyjsCTNkJt9u7Co813PQqhp8d5pE2cZW1MMXwlIDQUWGJFq94NoI-RTL64zWAEByChv9LRIuzsVZ4Z3dg/s1600/20130812-IMG_7698.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Spice Mas:
Grenada Carnival<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We opted
out of the J’ouvert celebration on Sunday and Monday (pre-party at a night club
from 10pm – 2am when a massive street party takes place downtown and everyone
covers themselves in used motor oil and paint; then they dance until about 6am,
when everyone navigates to the beach to wash the paint and oil off).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we did make it to the parade on Tuesday
afternoon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgW3_ims0JtGHJXXCdXKznwKdOMCbWalElAOaXi9pGBsRADTXGnvio7B4-OmXN_3L1tOBIX8AJmSc9AvscVS5oOUMPTs1Ux3jiot6XjLiYGt0EnH3PLK9gK5TBD2QKOpa0Ube-9FAHPY/s1600/20130813-IMG_7962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgW3_ims0JtGHJXXCdXKznwKdOMCbWalElAOaXi9pGBsRADTXGnvio7B4-OmXN_3L1tOBIX8AJmSc9AvscVS5oOUMPTs1Ux3jiot6XjLiYGt0EnH3PLK9gK5TBD2QKOpa0Ube-9FAHPY/s1600/20130813-IMG_7962.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIluzeeSC9GKPBJ36cVYpRR5KUP1tq_uAflYoRC9bNH94oh4dGxQAtASW_PVCb2dmgeiiwJTrJzYrWvOzTCRIYP75IIGCFNDD9VmZOVyerISFpn7SYzpA-Ykr1xwttZHFQcEygpMrqkE/s1600/20130813-IMG_8079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIluzeeSC9GKPBJ36cVYpRR5KUP1tq_uAflYoRC9bNH94oh4dGxQAtASW_PVCb2dmgeiiwJTrJzYrWvOzTCRIYP75IIGCFNDD9VmZOVyerISFpn7SYzpA-Ykr1xwttZHFQcEygpMrqkE/s1600/20130813-IMG_8079.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>About
one-third of a mile of Lagoon Road, wrapped around Port Louis, was closed down
for the parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, spectators and
vendors lined up along the street as individual parade participants slowly made
their way to the starting point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
the parade started—an hour and a half or so after the unofficial start
time—trucks of speakers towering over the crowd led batches of masqueraders
along the street, soca music pouring out on all sides and jarring bass shaking
the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we moved closer to
the action (I was intent on getting some nice photos), we had to pantomime our
intentions, or go hoarse trying to out-bellow the music.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We took a
vantage point near the judges’ station, where each section of the parade
stopped to dance and flourish its extravagant costumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sections each had a theme of color and
emotion or state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was happiness,
freedom, love, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The costumes were
vibrant, with feathers and gems and props.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The music shook the ground and the tempo kept the dancers moving so that
the whole parade seemed like shifting colors and delirious sound.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9GNxmfNg3QtKYNIByAQjN2TL1zWWpjs9qUYHPpxpoWrgAphPiNO8lidl41tuK4b4LWRSzlhK2-cxozj7MwHV5blGhEK0nsZwbfRxiWCDFjrX7pbDCD-gAm15srB4a8E2sSScmf0MFls/s1600/20130813-IMG_8053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9GNxmfNg3QtKYNIByAQjN2TL1zWWpjs9qUYHPpxpoWrgAphPiNO8lidl41tuK4b4LWRSzlhK2-cxozj7MwHV5blGhEK0nsZwbfRxiWCDFjrX7pbDCD-gAm15srB4a8E2sSScmf0MFls/s1600/20130813-IMG_8053.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mt. St.
Catherine: Take Two<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Remember my
<a href="http://allisonawayfromhome.blogspot.com/2013/04/cruising-caribbean-sea-and-other.html" target="_blank">super awesome weekend last term</a>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was snorkeling and catamaran cruising and water trampolining and hanging out
with friends and… oh yeah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We climbed
the highest peak on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mt. St.
Catherine posed something more than a small challenge for us, but we managed to
beat her in less than two and a half hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know I do a fair amount of hashing and, to anyone who doesn’t have
first-hand experience, hiking Mt. St. Catherine can look like little more than
a hash—particularly when my photos are the only documenting factor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a point-and-shoot, jungles look like
jungles; rainforests look like rainforests; mud looks like mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To put climbing Mt. St. Catherine versus
completing an average hash in perspective, I’d compare the former to doing the
latter as a paraplegic after losing your arm in an unlikely encounter with
real-life Pac Man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, you
complete the hash using one arm and dragging ineffectual legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hyperbole?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Obviously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you get where I’m
going with this, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seasoned trail
runners would find this venture rewarding as much as challenging.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I do hope
I’m not painting this in a poor light because when some friends asked us if we
wanted to do it again, we were like, “Hells yes!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ten of us
headed back up the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I
were the only ones in the group to have climbed the mountain before, so we were
the tour guides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That made the trip
considerably cheaper since the usual tour guide (a seventy year old man who’d
climbed the mountain over a hundred times) wanted to charge us $50USD per
person.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Before
actually getting to the mountain, we stopped a few times to ask
directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last time we stopped,
the man directing our driver pointed out that we had a flat tire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we were waylaid for a short time while the
tire was changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man giving
instructions disappeared into his tiny house and reemerged with his hands full
of bananas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t expect any money
for his help or the snacks; it was a genuine gesture of kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And excuse me for sounding sappy, but it was
apparent that he was not a man of great means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But he had something to give and so he gave it selflessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the sort of endearing gesture that I’m
going to miss sorely.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YjLlugg6Kx4C42VL_SoLwKj-zh8EBcK84EdcWvt-i1nQ-rod3HZLKfeiuESelKly6HqwVoCln7pgV6opJuxcEqc0ZGqY_KJ8ZEqGaafRaAUxi1bXCzAgR5TGPwQQ0rvkY-S6Kxh4Wgc/s1600/20130818-IMG_3169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YjLlugg6Kx4C42VL_SoLwKj-zh8EBcK84EdcWvt-i1nQ-rod3HZLKfeiuESelKly6HqwVoCln7pgV6opJuxcEqc0ZGqY_KJ8ZEqGaafRaAUxi1bXCzAgR5TGPwQQ0rvkY-S6Kxh4Wgc/s1600/20130818-IMG_3169.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now, back
on track!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it to the base of the
mountain and we began our ascent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in
all, the trip up was much as I had remembered, albeit overgrown with the recent
rains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were moving at a leisurely
pace, whereas previously we had tried to jog most of the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With ten people, we were stopping more often
for photos and water breaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
trail was obvious and we moved persistently onward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZO0_Ow6Qaft4yR4yYEVLX846rYVVhY7G8vA0vLtWqP07ioz7dEysi_nJ2PEEcejYVwkRavHGLZnO-mZUsoAvad4Jwed47SRYLJ-_zSpw0IUu5S-k3VVOsjlGjdpOYY2YGHKLhMqZcdM8/s1600/20130818-IMG_3172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZO0_Ow6Qaft4yR4yYEVLX846rYVVhY7G8vA0vLtWqP07ioz7dEysi_nJ2PEEcejYVwkRavHGLZnO-mZUsoAvad4Jwed47SRYLJ-_zSpw0IUu5S-k3VVOsjlGjdpOYY2YGHKLhMqZcdM8/s1600/20130818-IMG_3172.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our group before the hike<br />
L-R: Melanie, Laura, Ivette, Kevin, Arjuna, Me, Pankti, Ivan, Rebecca, Todd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we
neared the top, we slowed more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
ground became a sloppy, squelching mud pit and the climbing required
deliberation to avoid losing a handhold or falling backward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each person that cleared a sheer climb turned
to advise the person behind him or her, thus guaranteeing the group stayed
together.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCMDz5uy0-10OddjppqMdZvGXWso267InBSs04qXgNLsh5Rl9O_1hHhX3CWCo861rBbIcWuh27kYNi1GQMrkIBDHL9hH9rnHwIWHuFYOShfOjzXjnSrwi-D_Dlu552CQrnUXdfQhj3Ak/s1600/20130818-IMG_3207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCMDz5uy0-10OddjppqMdZvGXWso267InBSs04qXgNLsh5Rl9O_1hHhX3CWCo861rBbIcWuh27kYNi1GQMrkIBDHL9hH9rnHwIWHuFYOShfOjzXjnSrwi-D_Dlu552CQrnUXdfQhj3Ak/s1600/20130818-IMG_3207.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was
leading the pack up the steepest portions and can now advocate for the New
Balance Minimus trail running shoes—admirable traction on slick rocks and muddy
branches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a few places where
I’d forgotten how narrow the trail is and how treacherously steep the drop on
either side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On more than one occasion,
I’d finish a steep climb, stand to find myself a half foot from falling to an
unfortunate end, and be forced to crouch while a wave of vertigo washed over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimQNFllT3FKkcs2I8KaISIV74ijyKnZRpRhgBl6xn9GQeOSovyUrGqJWq32eyfjae41cPyjl7-x8HWsvqjGTMVULDbCpfvJLRI5943VLTYpljcsmqceZ-xkEcvtLY8NuSKT9WRzKjMWc/s1600/20130818-IMG_3210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimQNFllT3FKkcs2I8KaISIV74ijyKnZRpRhgBl6xn9GQeOSovyUrGqJWq32eyfjae41cPyjl7-x8HWsvqjGTMVULDbCpfvJLRI5943VLTYpljcsmqceZ-xkEcvtLY8NuSKT9WRzKjMWc/s1600/20130818-IMG_3210.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Qado4ESArLkLBKpwBcANzPsJfIFVA5pUW3EjWruInTdc0mUIPlKt2qIiTMyiIg1MJkCPJCaXkJrNlj0KsK7bCPPTvwZy6ZhvvFG0YaoTb94anNLz224B054I8rE7cIAiThHE6kD2qTY/s1600/20130818-IMG_3215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Qado4ESArLkLBKpwBcANzPsJfIFVA5pUW3EjWruInTdc0mUIPlKt2qIiTMyiIg1MJkCPJCaXkJrNlj0KsK7bCPPTvwZy6ZhvvFG0YaoTb94anNLz224B054I8rE7cIAiThHE6kD2qTY/s1600/20130818-IMG_3215.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By the time
we made it to the top, everyone was filthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We rinsed off what mud we could in the abandoned satellite dishes
(totally random, I know) before pounding down our food and making for our
return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we began the hairy descent,
the skies opened up and a downpour collapsed on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We moved as fast as we could, but with the rain
blinding us and reducing the steepest declines to mudslides, there was little
we could do for speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, the rain
only lasted a half-hour and by the time we reached the 90-degree rope climb, it
had all but stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We regrouped at the
bottom of the steepest descent, under the rainforest’s canopy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were all drenched with rain and sweat and
mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kevin’s soles had been stripped
from both shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we were all still
smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGF0JzYmk3kjbUGjv9HgFIMPVLWCcx9iFyNQYjnIrpvWRzikdNiG50-tBvaOD6SFN8pHpG7oQ284dhbtvDoXVOu2DjSNcwSKCVVD_7gkO0fR5vrLmMdr5RGNCdv8ypbENWYtNMGjAdrw/s1600/20130818-IMG_3217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGF0JzYmk3kjbUGjv9HgFIMPVLWCcx9iFyNQYjnIrpvWRzikdNiG50-tBvaOD6SFN8pHpG7oQ284dhbtvDoXVOu2DjSNcwSKCVVD_7gkO0fR5vrLmMdr5RGNCdv8ypbENWYtNMGjAdrw/s1600/20130818-IMG_3217.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our group at the top of the mountain<br />
L-R: Kevin, Melanie, Laura, Ivette, Me, Ivan, Arjuna, Pankti, Todd, Rebecca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
completed the hike as a group, all intact and still smiling, however exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took us roughly six hours to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We waited for the taxi to return at the
entrance to the trail and had a picnic on the ground.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSakVFGMovHuVGroBd5yxVeSFbFTrckCMrogbaeHbSwvZdSCsoMOcKeBcJEkSTj7aH_ZafRXryK8ZmPD5k7Xd2EXoAhwkFjgE94n4vQ48CzJkVJtKZbegPbYkNOxmb0UUJ_nedgXtl7pI/s1600/20130818-IMG_3231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSakVFGMovHuVGroBd5yxVeSFbFTrckCMrogbaeHbSwvZdSCsoMOcKeBcJEkSTj7aH_ZafRXryK8ZmPD5k7Xd2EXoAhwkFjgE94n4vQ48CzJkVJtKZbegPbYkNOxmb0UUJ_nedgXtl7pI/s1600/20130818-IMG_3231.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it! Can you tell we were excited?<br />
L-R: Me, Ivan, Ivette, Laura, Arjuna, Rebecca, Todd, Pankti, Kevin, Melanie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiOE7P0geAG7WQ4dPTzQ229HZdBdakpudM7j2qfomxfZsczp967eApB1xr-ZZA72P2DQWAlNwnYt-HZd30l46YeG4tgxCbyeDtVv70h3ksd9Jd8BVkILYMTcWxTa0rYXvkyrR72K-5es/s1600/20130812-IMG_3130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiOE7P0geAG7WQ4dPTzQ229HZdBdakpudM7j2qfomxfZsczp967eApB1xr-ZZA72P2DQWAlNwnYt-HZd30l46YeG4tgxCbyeDtVv70h3ksd9Jd8BVkILYMTcWxTa0rYXvkyrR72K-5es/s1600/20130812-IMG_3130.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That’s more
or less what’s been going on for the past couple weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from these larger activities, we also
went on a lovely hash with some friends in Sauteurs (northern tip of Grenada),
and we went to the beach to play Frisbee, and we went to St. George and bought
four pounds of tuna steak for less than $8USD, and I volunteered at the GSPCA
with a couple other girls, and I finally unpacked, and I got a little knitting
done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpObMYWJwARsWmiwgIhtWf13_-vAdRMNk47B0FEWd-dNuotNwnZ95N38Qs_LdJI7Wxt5cfpb7eKXCHaCacwXV5OZ0MCjX92c9LiZ2mWYBb4UUm-_UcibMK7oXGWQpSry3qLhufBrYzWx8/s1600/IMG_3138+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpObMYWJwARsWmiwgIhtWf13_-vAdRMNk47B0FEWd-dNuotNwnZ95N38Qs_LdJI7Wxt5cfpb7eKXCHaCacwXV5OZ0MCjX92c9LiZ2mWYBb4UUm-_UcibMK7oXGWQpSry3qLhufBrYzWx8/s1600/IMG_3138+copy.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hash-ready</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqkNl7woVQpmK0DcONkj5Ff5dBsvzpYTDLVbOw5StUKPPM4cSZDZsf7n2zDZAn90QT-x_weJEGjVJUG7NytawSz_HiX9K2NRBtrkGSd5au4ueApnwEjx0DjKlX0jjOF__dAfVU7yaxY8/s1600/IMG_3137+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqkNl7woVQpmK0DcONkj5Ff5dBsvzpYTDLVbOw5StUKPPM4cSZDZsf7n2zDZAn90QT-x_weJEGjVJUG7NytawSz_HiX9K2NRBtrkGSd5au4ueApnwEjx0DjKlX0jjOF__dAfVU7yaxY8/s1600/IMG_3137+copy.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hash buddies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOG4pDtsNe999afH3x6HlXtQWNSd_92_YftOpxZFLAc6ecHghsi9TOAikRmPkynZkCsup8j4F3quvqY4ba7VCJ_kSXxd2iH1XhI7Dk2iJYF8uQkrKs57VniREzY8-ccQlOpCHQrBkEBc/s1600/IMG_3154+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOG4pDtsNe999afH3x6HlXtQWNSd_92_YftOpxZFLAc6ecHghsi9TOAikRmPkynZkCsup8j4F3quvqY4ba7VCJ_kSXxd2iH1XhI7Dk2iJYF8uQkrKs57VniREzY8-ccQlOpCHQrBkEBc/s1600/IMG_3154+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-hash sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmp6B-CYD13z2h_bhTw4Xg4u7PLJGRfxHNi__C5WYhQJFT3kaSLY7K8jAn3RUStUcq8KeJgS4uBSZvP_d2VBbCyf1aQ8qwdKZuj8nJvIeN_r2QcVUFOMbv3RGGHhoro23oueYS2TgX6c/s1600/20130821-IMG_8141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmp6B-CYD13z2h_bhTw4Xg4u7PLJGRfxHNi__C5WYhQJFT3kaSLY7K8jAn3RUStUcq8KeJgS4uBSZvP_d2VBbCyf1aQ8qwdKZuj8nJvIeN_r2QcVUFOMbv3RGGHhoro23oueYS2TgX6c/s1600/20130821-IMG_8141.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cork buddy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And, I
can’t believe it’s our last term!<o:p></o:p></div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-87244647376777210972013-06-13T15:34:00.001-04:002013-06-13T15:40:57.337-04:00Countdown Time<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I deserve an
award at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thinking maybe
it could be a cone with a crown-sized diameter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe big black letters could spell DUNCE vertically up its seam?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can wear my award while I sit on a too-short
stool in the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And maybe I can
snivel a little.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am a
thoroughly horrible blogger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or at least
I have been this term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look back at my
blog and shake my head woefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
just the worst, especially for those family members who are not linked in to
networking sites like Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least
I answer messages on Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least
I let my family and friends back home know that I am still existing somewhere
tropical and occasionally partaking in ridiculously fun activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For anyone whose news of me and Ivan is
strictly limited to this blog, I hope you’ll forgive me and have, during my
intermittent absence, learned of our wellbeing through word-of-mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now enough of this; I am the blog dunce and
it’s time to move on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I see that
my last post was from the beginning of May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I’ll try to take up from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First, second and fifth term medical and all vet students had their
finals around the middle of May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Keep
in mind that third and fourth terms are paired together since third term is
only about a month and a half long.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
it was about that time that we said goodbye to a lot of people, some of which
we won’t be seeing again for a long time and some we won’t be seeing again ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, of course, is when I become most
grateful for the limitless applications of the Internet and its promise that
distant friends will be more than just memories.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While
other students were knocking out their finals, Ivan and his fellow fourth term
students were taking their second pathology midterm, CPD midterm and
microbiology final.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the pathology
midterm, Ivan came home uncharacteristically dejected and, after a quick walk
around campus, we found he was hardly alone in his disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medical school is a far cry from the
undergraduate experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
considerably more taxing, physically, emotionally and monetarily (there’s no
point in leaving out the cost—it adds to the stress and expectations these
students already manage).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it’s not
really all that uncommon to see students cracking under the pressure—even just
a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we walked past the
throngs of fourth termers exiting the path exam, I could barely hear a breath
being taken in between the cursing.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Needless
to say, we were pleased when the grades were released and Ivan did better than
expected.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He has
since completed his nutrition class and is now just taking pathology and
CPD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spends roughly twelve to
thirteen hours a day on those two classes and still runs the risk of falling
behind.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XpbJQuwfoO9PhiYz7JRdSSRHjYXG4ia86kUpQI_KKnWpBfslUTHydGi9PTp58hP84r2fZCD7cx-eq4qUguGYE4ZETcoOUE7nrW-pvEv1Xn4wYMDwpWvLXLVId37g6CX8oIlzYafeU8g/s1600/IMG_4927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XpbJQuwfoO9PhiYz7JRdSSRHjYXG4ia86kUpQI_KKnWpBfslUTHydGi9PTp58hP84r2fZCD7cx-eq4qUguGYE4ZETcoOUE7nrW-pvEv1Xn4wYMDwpWvLXLVId37g6CX8oIlzYafeU8g/s320/IMG_4927.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This moth has nothing to do with exams, but how cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On May
26<sup>th</sup>, Ivan and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d say something along the lines of “It
feels like we were married just yesterday” except that I have the wedding
pictures and am consistently reminded by them that we are aging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they are of any indication of time, we
most certainly were not married just yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Beside the pathos of mortality, though, it’s actually sort of romantic
how long we’ve been together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were it
not for us enrolling in separate elementary schools in the same town, we may
have known each other since we were five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, we met in junior high school, at the age of thirteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then we went to prom together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then we got married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I think that about sums up our
relationship thus far.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BjOOqVzM1B6scfxjJS7J97dLfDsTvYJJFuXoFsXG-RCtNJmVIam8niGIt6_7diSNVcvjA1QNAz_PxPTr1LH-yhkqK3QotxyvUJxD75Qv8JuNfsRUz8Z0howbX57vu3X7kALDyZ_WFOQ/s1600/306_3529545817361_722553899_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BjOOqVzM1B6scfxjJS7J97dLfDsTvYJJFuXoFsXG-RCtNJmVIam8niGIt6_7diSNVcvjA1QNAz_PxPTr1LH-yhkqK3QotxyvUJxD75Qv8JuNfsRUz8Z0howbX57vu3X7kALDyZ_WFOQ/s320/306_3529545817361_722553899_n.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior Prom, in all of its awkward glory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzDWxReOGeEJlquHtSbvMkXROuyC4VvwbjzPGi9e4MiUeCxWZY43tGUMVu0zzZP0ijqkVcnaEuTsVYwBq-KMWDWukng9uWErLbSDfIwO_C-aXQbg5uPYbJxQH2v_MbQFxSemyq75ggRc/s1600/20130525-IMG_4941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzDWxReOGeEJlquHtSbvMkXROuyC4VvwbjzPGi9e4MiUeCxWZY43tGUMVu0zzZP0ijqkVcnaEuTsVYwBq-KMWDWukng9uWErLbSDfIwO_C-aXQbg5uPYbJxQH2v_MbQFxSemyq75ggRc/s320/20130525-IMG_4941.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To
celebrate this year, Ivan took some time away from his notes and we spent the
day together. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked the length of
the Grand Anse beach (breathtakingly gorgeous, as always).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the beach we walked through the Grenada
Grand resort (where my parents will be staying in September, yay!) and crossed
the street to get an ice cream cone at Rick’s Café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember what flavor we got, maybe
nutmeg, or rum raisin, or mint chocolate, or maple pecan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had them all and have yet to regret a
single cone!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqyTqpM80soW7c_8OL7yZdNzcRRFk2o3t466mNh1QX5xsiNxcSSDimfvy8yz2VoenEeLW_JaS_1nrVzEFbZe8s4q-1QW8RDKP4mPnmgm-kc0ZqzcnHRzdnS458MZUvW-LDRropEfLRcQ/s1600/20130525-IMG_4975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqyTqpM80soW7c_8OL7yZdNzcRRFk2o3t466mNh1QX5xsiNxcSSDimfvy8yz2VoenEeLW_JaS_1nrVzEFbZe8s4q-1QW8RDKP4mPnmgm-kc0ZqzcnHRzdnS458MZUvW-LDRropEfLRcQ/s400/20130525-IMG_4975.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful day for a walk on Grand Anse beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeg80pTBykccOvqi5Hkdm6FUdQkkAM6IMyqC3WaByG8V50hCi794_9Hh1IUli6J34iOuOS2BcPFXzioBe7KvU7ePvT3-Ce4V5Ao2M5cy3qBxbZ0HnoUDO8nwlMHhDPpshC85AKdiKWBk/s1600/20130525-IMG_2924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeg80pTBykccOvqi5Hkdm6FUdQkkAM6IMyqC3WaByG8V50hCi794_9Hh1IUli6J34iOuOS2BcPFXzioBe7KvU7ePvT3-Ce4V5Ao2M5cy3qBxbZ0HnoUDO8nwlMHhDPpshC85AKdiKWBk/s320/20130525-IMG_2924.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For
dinner, Ivan made reservations at the Beach House restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We each had swordfish (his blackened and mine
sea salted) and ate outside on the shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before our food was brought out, though, the hostess appeared with a
bouquet of birds-of-paradise, fern leaves, orchids and other vivid flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he set up the reservation, Ivan also
apparently requested that a floral arrangement be delivered to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I got pretty weepy at that point,
especially when our waitress used flower petals to create a heart in the middle
of our table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our meals were perfect and
we saved room for the best dessert ever: Grand Etang Mud Pie (a coffee and
chocolate ice cream cake).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we
were given the chance to order it, though, our waitress emerged with a slice
already dished out and a lit sparkler stuck in the pie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heavy whipped cream spelled out sentiments on
our black plate for the special occasion.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXhgyUyQ3W6m8rs4eCE61r21KYsHTvPDYJblaufFeva6bpAQ0JCLDu8OJRFO4uClCwvrFnOz0Q_p89Ox8vmOBrUfEpXDf_wM1CNDr5T0Fww1ciX2XQiqJmfrBljLqCiA9AcD0z3ktPDY/s1600/20130525-IMG_2928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXhgyUyQ3W6m8rs4eCE61r21KYsHTvPDYJblaufFeva6bpAQ0JCLDu8OJRFO4uClCwvrFnOz0Q_p89Ox8vmOBrUfEpXDf_wM1CNDr5T0Fww1ciX2XQiqJmfrBljLqCiA9AcD0z3ktPDY/s320/20130525-IMG_2928.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OPnkhxmDjqEUoVgFXu4ldsy0b3SSbmYFfv58XyabUwRjtOrmryJuIgZ5XVM5LN3Gww1IXHDM30hmIs7N4txA2E4xmKtwb5Wyqg7cr9msCm1hzDvEFIALlY_plKuXkBEVTWRnkFqCpfw/s1600/20130525-IMG_2930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OPnkhxmDjqEUoVgFXu4ldsy0b3SSbmYFfv58XyabUwRjtOrmryJuIgZ5XVM5LN3Gww1IXHDM30hmIs7N4txA2E4xmKtwb5Wyqg7cr9msCm1hzDvEFIALlY_plKuXkBEVTWRnkFqCpfw/s320/20130525-IMG_2930.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With a
great majority of the students gone, campus is unusually deserted and
quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I can’t say it’s an
unwelcome change (no midnight shrieks and whoops from the playing field), there
are drawbacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bus schedule has
changed to reflect the number of students left on the island and travel has
become somewhat complicated because of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of the other SOs are gone, so there are fewer people to spend
downtime with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not many students around
means the few of us that are left (I realize I’m not a student, but I look like
one [white]) are targeted more often by taxis, local buses, vendors, and, most
unfortunately, creeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am not as
comfortable leaving campus by myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
drawbacks, I realize, make the time seem miserable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the contrary, despite those few issues, I
am keeping very busy and enjoying myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are now truly in the wet season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rain comes daily and the sky is almost always cloudy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going outside without an umbrella is a very
risky move considering the strength of some of these storms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor Ivan has to trek to and from class
multiple times a day and has been caught in the rain on more than one occasion.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Meanwhile,
I’ve been enjoying a virtually uninterrupted span of personal time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m spending it, as anyone would guess,
painting, knitting and photographing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here and there I’m also baking and struggling to use up some of the
excess food stuffs we have around the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For instance, I made “junk bread” the other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I call it junk bread because I just added a
bunch of extra ingredients that I had on hand in the hopes of depleting my
unnecessary stock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up with banana-coconut-chocolate
chip-butterscotch bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easier to
just call it junk bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it tasted
pretty good.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As far
as knitting is concerned: I knitted another hat and it turned out awful, so I
unraveled it and knitted a different one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I knitted another critter and named her Madge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I knitted an octopus, but wanted him to
be unique, so I only knitted seven tentacles (which technically makes him a
septopus) and named him Gherkin.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxGq9LEqr-GRvQsIjCfmVmk_3wqSHtOY8TYj7Y6bZlwIExYZ7RL4HcP7YEAA2YvjrfvLoDWMCViKA0hOfbcQQKcqjRzLZQqj8y5GdzS9RwCMdoCMHaU9WW4ydA8l-nc0IcaWtmaxQySQ/s1600/20130527-IMG_5028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxGq9LEqr-GRvQsIjCfmVmk_3wqSHtOY8TYj7Y6bZlwIExYZ7RL4HcP7YEAA2YvjrfvLoDWMCViKA0hOfbcQQKcqjRzLZQqj8y5GdzS9RwCMdoCMHaU9WW4ydA8l-nc0IcaWtmaxQySQ/s320/20130527-IMG_5028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMynmcwYivHHDNu3FrzVhO3b_Z0FibBMRSWr8niGCVTn7i8AJLfwqCrNw90F9G4ghlNnBR0588ROUv9hyphenhyphenb-sbDcuxOVulrFiK1pULwgpCy-VvnwcW0Ck_fyvDi_TSNn6gsnDD0RE37_yk/s1600/20130527-IMG_5258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMynmcwYivHHDNu3FrzVhO3b_Z0FibBMRSWr8niGCVTn7i8AJLfwqCrNw90F9G4ghlNnBR0588ROUv9hyphenhyphenb-sbDcuxOVulrFiK1pULwgpCy-VvnwcW0Ck_fyvDi_TSNn6gsnDD0RE37_yk/s320/20130527-IMG_5258.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrGa1_7xna0NMq_USeGG2N_ESM4QWj4toBe93jTEGd89MP_h-vIl486eIMhyVuuxjsVwRWEyaNps3da76F1aP4dA0KyEFLPY9zTOvb-CBR0VMILJMGr55rItfFr3WgtSvHhWgbsCcmxQ/s1600/20130529-IMG_5569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrGa1_7xna0NMq_USeGG2N_ESM4QWj4toBe93jTEGd89MP_h-vIl486eIMhyVuuxjsVwRWEyaNps3da76F1aP4dA0KyEFLPY9zTOvb-CBR0VMILJMGr55rItfFr3WgtSvHhWgbsCcmxQ/s320/20130529-IMG_5569.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have
been painting a little here and there, as always in watercolor.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEh9NbfjiKQNBCl-Rz_o2sb9LVcvhEEv_Ii_wTjC69PAi4b0EmDQo3Lzt_mUpTcRx41JjKJZWoOyR13Y8mO8kd4JZvJFf6cuXRqmr0cjinKQkCvJP7a2Ur-OafbZIW5qbl0BFE-THgF04/s1600/Octopus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEh9NbfjiKQNBCl-Rz_o2sb9LVcvhEEv_Ii_wTjC69PAi4b0EmDQo3Lzt_mUpTcRx41JjKJZWoOyR13Y8mO8kd4JZvJFf6cuXRqmr0cjinKQkCvJP7a2Ur-OafbZIW5qbl0BFE-THgF04/s320/Octopus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had been meaning to paint this for a while and the amount of detail ended up dragging it out for a couple days. Totally worth it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4q82RiXmvj0974lQx2alyGUbbulMmrgmUvwR3x8r2d88ES7dJZLWsov1WB4LzEWeZWdCoAdDEpSbp9owqbi5aZsg6oKM-0L4pBbQTZ9licesOa6wytaUzE2EfdKEy78GT2YBz_UYejo/s1600/Self+Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4q82RiXmvj0974lQx2alyGUbbulMmrgmUvwR3x8r2d88ES7dJZLWsov1WB4LzEWeZWdCoAdDEpSbp9owqbi5aZsg6oKM-0L4pBbQTZ9licesOa6wytaUzE2EfdKEy78GT2YBz_UYejo/s320/Self+Portrait.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skull underneath is in pencil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK30rMttqiqhX1o99l-SHo9I3vOlq2HsFfIiAFbex-tbsQoZQsNfjuroEb_Cc31qJuVFV0stbbsCKV9TGZjQPhWIcMGSaaiuducgVsEL6O23YUeNPyyStLcanYCPsDUoltqcMVbxKRbac/s1600/pound+pup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK30rMttqiqhX1o99l-SHo9I3vOlq2HsFfIiAFbex-tbsQoZQsNfjuroEb_Cc31qJuVFV0stbbsCKV9TGZjQPhWIcMGSaaiuducgVsEL6O23YUeNPyyStLcanYCPsDUoltqcMVbxKRbac/s320/pound+pup.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a social issue message.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf5eTGKwN5w45HCRXZ65oSxQbDF-H4fKSxyTQFyq5mm20v5LMxNLsZ4Ar17amfb6zCYdY98jc0MuJsF2qGaEMPJTZ4QjIN2AIwwHOEW0TiY5u7v30Jq4GHJ6iIMKckHxkQ9AiJK75WIU/s1600/Daphne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf5eTGKwN5w45HCRXZ65oSxQbDF-H4fKSxyTQFyq5mm20v5LMxNLsZ4Ar17amfb6zCYdY98jc0MuJsF2qGaEMPJTZ4QjIN2AIwwHOEW0TiY5u7v30Jq4GHJ6iIMKckHxkQ9AiJK75WIU/s320/Daphne.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A paper-art tribute to a friend who has gone above and beyond to always support my art and photography and endeavors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Before
most of the school left the island, I did a little photo shoot with a lovely
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m looking forward to
another shoot with some other friends before we leave the island.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFiykgYvFd0xp_g5hnP_nbAgv-c_dsW-904HowKbwra5rxFq5yQPb_8llG7Q0j_PPzps6rs94YWiSePHQj-P5500N6nBXz71ZW9lGqiqlpDr6DriuZjg4y8o08u7dncjmeI0oGUJZKUI/s1600/20130512-IMG_4809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFiykgYvFd0xp_g5hnP_nbAgv-c_dsW-904HowKbwra5rxFq5yQPb_8llG7Q0j_PPzps6rs94YWiSePHQj-P5500N6nBXz71ZW9lGqiqlpDr6DriuZjg4y8o08u7dncjmeI0oGUJZKUI/s320/20130512-IMG_4809.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo shoot fave. (told you she was lovely)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ivan and
I gave in to the social rave and finally decided to watch an episode of Game of
Thrones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two days later we finished all
but the final two episodes of season three that had not yet been released (both
of which we have since watched).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I
am finished with book one and on to book two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m only moderately concerned that Martin looks closer to the grave than
the final two books are to printing (books rumored to be upwards of 1,500 pages
each?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully he gets around to
writing them at some point, or we’ll all be slaves to HBO for the undoubtedly grisly
outcome.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9IRK8mD4KV8zsZc904ope8-CxVgwA4sH3i0YB9kxztyz10O8Vkn1cU3dWr4dLtqnEntMXeJSeR3PobEFZuFMRQPIZgX8c4kFafhETTFsJJHdOsJKoF1mNFv4xk57IWdktHgr_2cjKk4/s1600/3p27rn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9IRK8mD4KV8zsZc904ope8-CxVgwA4sH3i0YB9kxztyz10O8Vkn1cU3dWr4dLtqnEntMXeJSeR3PobEFZuFMRQPIZgX8c4kFafhETTFsJJHdOsJKoF1mNFv4xk57IWdktHgr_2cjKk4/s320/3p27rn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memes are appropriate when dealing with George R.R. Martin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here’s a
little bit of “Holy Cow!” for you: we’re flying back home in less than three
weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Tuesday, July 2<sup>nd</sup>,
we will be leaving Grenada for a little more than a month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For every term that we are here, time seems
to move faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear this term felt
shorter than our first; yet it’s two months longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we’re almost ready to move on to our last
term in Grenada!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am,
understandably, looking forward to a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In many ways Grenada tries to match the development of the States and
mirror the consumerist lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
the glaring differences end up spoiling the attempt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All over Grand Anse and True Blue, there are
convenience food stops (the equivalent of fast food joints), but their food
handling practices don’t seem to be monitored as they are in the States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open up a newspaper in the U.S. and you know
what restaurants to avoid because of the published health inspector
findings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just down the road from SGU,
the popular Shawarma King has had eight confirmed cases of salmonella
(information that is disseminated by students, then advised by administration).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they just keep on serving to students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bugs have been an ongoing issue for the
restaurants on campus, but they bring in so much money, they would never be
shut down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Subway on campus is a
curious twin of its popular sibling back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Next to the sign that advises employees to smile or go home, you may or
may not see a scowling worker waiting for your order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may or may not be aware of the toppings
that cost extra (olives, jalapenos, etc.) or the sauces that cost extra
(basically everything except mayo).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
you go to Le Papillion for breakfast, you should not expect your mug of coffee
to come with free refills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Expired
products are not discarded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I
have been enjoying instant cappuccino at half price from IGA because it expired
three months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a few months back,
we did the same with expired couscous.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I could
go on and on about the peculiarities and discomforts I don’t mind leaving
behind (the sidewalks that are used for parking cars, the maintenance men that
unlock and open my front door without my consent, the catcalling and leering
when I’m out for a run, the lack of quality me-and-Ivan time), but then I’d be
leaving out what I am loathe to leave behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have you seen the beaches here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So much of this island is beyond beautiful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are places I’ve been that I don’t think
will ever be equaled in my future travels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve met people from all over the world and made friends with people I
would have never had the opportunity to meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I look out my window, I see the Caribbean Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is a view I will miss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know that I ever would have tried
plantains if I never came to Grenada and I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i>
like plantains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s sort of nice to not
own a car and know that pretty much everything I need is within walking
distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really going to miss my
fruit guy (aka Fireman, Rasta, or Murvin).</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m not
looking forward to having to pack up all over again, but I think the vacation
back home will be well worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re
already planning out our first weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hopefully it will be a little more relaxed than our break over the
holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, it will be so nice
to be able to spend time with Ivan again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He needs a break from school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
we could both use a little visit back in the States.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
guessing my next blog update might not happen before we leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that is the case, see you again in August.</div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67899999999997411.6199715 -62.324446999999971 12.6130285 -61.033552999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-87934619220724171722013-05-06T21:57:00.001-04:002013-05-27T10:01:37.382-04:00Malaria Complex<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have
not written a blog post in almost a month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I have no good excuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So now
I run into the dilemma of having so much to update, I’m guaranteed to write yet
another excruciatingly long post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which
means you’re going to take one long, scrolling look at this column of toppling
words, read the last sentence and, as long as it doesn’t say I’m dying of malaria,
close the post altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not dying
of malaria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I might say that I
am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the very end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to entice you to read this ridiculous
update.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where do
I start?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, who cares, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to start somewhere in the middle
because I can’t remember in what order anything happens these days and it doesn’t
really matter, anyhow.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I went
to the GSPCA to volunteer with Ivan and a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now cute pictures of dogs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU2xbRKojzW5clyYHAPGb7fazHozxrmwToarKPR7MUjOl6xX7uRoWXDuaMHJjOWciEXKIkp-ICxMFYReVaGsXjFkzycpzAxbNA19gn0msap1KmxmKAF3bTAetvyj0EY1ZheZntlvzSwQ/s1600/GSPCA-3339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU2xbRKojzW5clyYHAPGb7fazHozxrmwToarKPR7MUjOl6xX7uRoWXDuaMHJjOWciEXKIkp-ICxMFYReVaGsXjFkzycpzAxbNA19gn0msap1KmxmKAF3bTAetvyj0EY1ZheZntlvzSwQ/s320/GSPCA-3339.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2comFj8F255f2IapPGyh7hFT92_W39t5GDTJGgTWuwUsxLrG8OGhK364x8x0upm0QRrW1rHF_5O59_6YIQcFjHMIi9T8703o_OuIrw9875kgWIU0W28IimCKbntH8sadxEm9zhoW2yQ/s1600/GSPCA-3337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2comFj8F255f2IapPGyh7hFT92_W39t5GDTJGgTWuwUsxLrG8OGhK364x8x0upm0QRrW1rHF_5O59_6YIQcFjHMIi9T8703o_OuIrw9875kgWIU0W28IimCKbntH8sadxEm9zhoW2yQ/s320/GSPCA-3337.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Caleeco
has become more brash these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
has settled in, very firmly, to our general area, adopting the married housing
apartments and the super-dorm across the drive as her territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If any of the other campus feral cats come into
her territory, she will end them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Loudly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">middle of the night</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the numerous dishes and cans of cat food
that materialize outside of doorways throughout the day are hers and hers
only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If any dare to forget to offer up
their edible token of appreciation for her constant protection and vigilance,
she responds with off-key, non-stop mewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whether or not she’s actually hungry or willing to eat is unimportant to
the demand for food.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDvDIJfgLmTwxoNa79iKnE881CtkWeFNU_hh6Uxm745JX-_h9AtpNXxoVxxiFgItvqjMdXHrgpOHOLHl1RMpHqeKMTW8t1XrZ1A6VCWJbkuQd258f2JmHg641D7t_-RPHE4y7Tg9sePo/s1600/20130429-IMG_4175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDvDIJfgLmTwxoNa79iKnE881CtkWeFNU_hh6Uxm745JX-_h9AtpNXxoVxxiFgItvqjMdXHrgpOHOLHl1RMpHqeKMTW8t1XrZ1A6VCWJbkuQd258f2JmHg641D7t_-RPHE4y7Tg9sePo/s320/20130429-IMG_4175.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have
still been knitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can now add to my
collection a hat—not flawless, but still my first—and two critters that were
meant to be cute bunnies but became something else entirely.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGBGU3KRVSXhmZzQDOlyhUBPhv3NiDTdDxWHT1ZKXL39V2meWTWL4_mHVyy6GVWP-GXOcRIwUhcx97ukHZP0is3DUQjXHXK_r1L34f0sqpzcJoKOqd3xVpJrIRnLGph5ku2s5aAl9fVQ/s1600/Knit+Hat+(1+of+2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGBGU3KRVSXhmZzQDOlyhUBPhv3NiDTdDxWHT1ZKXL39V2meWTWL4_mHVyy6GVWP-GXOcRIwUhcx97ukHZP0is3DUQjXHXK_r1L34f0sqpzcJoKOqd3xVpJrIRnLGph5ku2s5aAl9fVQ/s320/Knit+Hat+(1+of+2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZroTFFIvsONmSKFQiMgFLNoaettk_5Ej25YdCBRdSpM63pRvoZ_AzTQMh6-FK4LpenE3WNo9sRYUCPwjingbCjk8VPVL4fbxJKGteJ3pzhwJmNiWm50dqn6UZstBmDayRNS2KAqMSBA/s1600/Gerbil-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZroTFFIvsONmSKFQiMgFLNoaettk_5Ej25YdCBRdSpM63pRvoZ_AzTQMh6-FK4LpenE3WNo9sRYUCPwjingbCjk8VPVL4fbxJKGteJ3pzhwJmNiWm50dqn6UZstBmDayRNS2KAqMSBA/s320/Gerbil-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqoLcWgHj-L7YKkBrl0VkgVUZkbf3yTjXNElTgx1q1X9Ck83RkEkdHrEm65LMd7Le2JmzYDBFtwI6qiKsteBLvA5B58I5Rw9zH85L8rRHidx69bOOhF-Ajc91x1nmOFqjf9MXks8w6Xs/s1600/Mort-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqoLcWgHj-L7YKkBrl0VkgVUZkbf3yTjXNElTgx1q1X9Ck83RkEkdHrEm65LMd7Le2JmzYDBFtwI6qiKsteBLvA5B58I5Rw9zH85L8rRHidx69bOOhF-Ajc91x1nmOFqjf9MXks8w6Xs/s320/Mort-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have
also been painting and crafting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigs3Q5P2TZMBKxIdoxcMlXHxSaehpmRDjs64Zcqk44kDYPRC4SCTsJt9U0IAWVt72z9uoWFI7-NrguoyxQe_nWxQyCp8bLGI_F46UlDZsHre7XFkOIcVE-Cl28XptpWTrlme74JZ_XIhY/s1600/Paper+Babe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigs3Q5P2TZMBKxIdoxcMlXHxSaehpmRDjs64Zcqk44kDYPRC4SCTsJt9U0IAWVt72z9uoWFI7-NrguoyxQe_nWxQyCp8bLGI_F46UlDZsHre7XFkOIcVE-Cl28XptpWTrlme74JZ_XIhY/s320/Paper+Babe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNX82v3y7ThfU_jQJeBluI8GKmelwbp-11djA_wPHTOFTsXvz_qEDmddJt4hB-F_BXi9bE9NAX_k2yD4JV9O6Rer7GCqt2CM9pw1idR_raNSiCIohekiTl6cqbr07BsMytSol-WBhrUE/s1600/Sophie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNX82v3y7ThfU_jQJeBluI8GKmelwbp-11djA_wPHTOFTsXvz_qEDmddJt4hB-F_BXi9bE9NAX_k2yD4JV9O6Rer7GCqt2CM9pw1idR_raNSiCIohekiTl6cqbr07BsMytSol-WBhrUE/s320/Sophie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I had a
wonderful photo shoot with a fifth term student recently.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdj_0IXDTjdzTbiu8BrZDZBj34LD9bS3rxhqgkjpUB40F18rnfnCEL6CD0zKbUcRXXOS3u4PY1-qq-y7TExz1WCbpeNRetfqr4oo0Zvix91hfGDiAE4wCF2af7GXS7JGH_WEZPCImG1Y/s1600/20130428-IMG_3863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdj_0IXDTjdzTbiu8BrZDZBj34LD9bS3rxhqgkjpUB40F18rnfnCEL6CD0zKbUcRXXOS3u4PY1-qq-y7TExz1WCbpeNRetfqr4oo0Zvix91hfGDiAE4wCF2af7GXS7JGH_WEZPCImG1Y/s320/20130428-IMG_3863.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ivan and
I have been working out six days a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Three of those days we lift weights in the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never really been one for weights,
opting instead for cardio only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But last
summer I hurt my back badly and was severely limited in my mobility for six
weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the winter break, I hurt my
shoulder and wasn’t able to function normally because of the pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without insurance, I didn’t exactly have the
freedom to visit my doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This term we’ve
been focusing on building muscle and endurance, especially in those areas I
recently hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought was that my
lack of muscle was making me more prone to injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether or not that’s true, I’m happy to say
that neither my back nor shoulder is bothering me anymore!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next
week, Ivan’s second set of midterms take place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rest of our friends (those in first, second and fifth terms) will be
taking their finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In about two weeks,
many of our friends will be leaving Grenada, either for a summer break or to
move on to their third year of medical school, in clinical rotations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frankly, I can’t believe the end of the term
has come for so many!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far this term
has been flying by.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A week
ago… two weeks ago?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some time ago Ivan
and I joined a group of students and SOs on a trip to the northern coast of the
island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At around 6pm on a Friday night,
over sixty of us boarded the buses that made the hour-and-a-half trip up the
eastern coast to Levera beach, nesting spot for the critically endangered
leatherback sea turtles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drive
(always harrowing) was a shaky, weaving, nauseating trip (speaking of which,
one of the buses actually had to pull over because a passenger needed to
vomit).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though we finally made it to our
destination, where we found the breakneck speeds getting us there were entirely
unnecessary.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For
hours we sat on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over sixty
people, warned to keep all lights turned off (as a precaution to the turtles)
and voices at a minimum, settled into the smothering darkness and salty
air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The evening was overcast, clouds
blotting out the otherwise brilliant moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All I could really make out were different degrees of darkness, like inky
silhouettes against smoky shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
the only color I could discern was a curious redness in the sky to the
south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything and everyone else was
a shifting mass of desaturated obscurity.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-uctm4JVzCjogVXzI5sPM3P0dmYmfh8QDGduG__KDAXNF-MnwQDbbf-9N87jIZmwcXeyWzA-14lwjRETqZXzv4bdlRkN0Djcse5h1G0gMx1DysBZAWnxO992TuQPz9sEL9Oz_Q1xjkA/s1600/Leatherback+Turtles-3507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-uctm4JVzCjogVXzI5sPM3P0dmYmfh8QDGduG__KDAXNF-MnwQDbbf-9N87jIZmwcXeyWzA-14lwjRETqZXzv4bdlRkN0Djcse5h1G0gMx1DysBZAWnxO992TuQPz9sEL9Oz_Q1xjkA/s320/Leatherback+Turtles-3507.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken at around 10:30pm with a long shutter speed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I knew
there was a cutoff time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At some point,
our guides would tell us that the turtles were not coming and we would be asked
to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought for sure we were at
that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, at around 11:45 that
evening, four hours after we had arrived, we were divided into three groups and
led a quarter mile down the beach where the leatherbacks had emerged from the
sea.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We were
told ahead of time how large the sea turtles were—upwards of one ton each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one
ton</i> is as easy to say as it is difficult to imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sea turtles are simply enormous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were described as prehistoric in
presence and I fully support that description.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYQTQ6wdcaI_P3LquX7edyVgJ9HPyhUjY_TV5GqtsIehXcC2aicj5hRp1bKoZnbEvjpoGrfB3_Qd97x0G0g5R6DWBeoD4F6QITZbJ_n1agwe4IzdOWQOVU5Mlq_YniRDKzD3MJPGOmO4/s1600/Leatherback+Turtles-3657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYQTQ6wdcaI_P3LquX7edyVgJ9HPyhUjY_TV5GqtsIehXcC2aicj5hRp1bKoZnbEvjpoGrfB3_Qd97x0G0g5R6DWBeoD4F6QITZbJ_n1agwe4IzdOWQOVU5Mlq_YniRDKzD3MJPGOmO4/s320/Leatherback+Turtles-3657.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRNIGhuQVKnW8lbKIylL8peo6Qd0om2gAvooub1RSM-tf9ItPl4k4CF_j_jSO8chI7LdDu9HmMKhJQXlWlobTDgnoh5TOSe4U02pc85er6uCBaLZW5tS9O7LYbm8ThjtErl75togI91M/s1600/Leatherback+Turtles-3727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRNIGhuQVKnW8lbKIylL8peo6Qd0om2gAvooub1RSM-tf9ItPl4k4CF_j_jSO8chI7LdDu9HmMKhJQXlWlobTDgnoh5TOSe4U02pc85er6uCBaLZW5tS9O7LYbm8ThjtErl75togI91M/s320/Leatherback+Turtles-3727.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
guide shined a red light on the turtle (red light does not disturb them) as she
finished laying her eggs and we formed a half-circle around her, admiring her
presence and astonished at her mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
used her back flippers to cover the eggs and tamp the sand over them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a full half-hour, she wove back and
forth, beating her flippers and creating great trenches in the sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She cried out a couple of times—a dull roar
pushed out lazily—and, all of a sudden, she was in the water and washing away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp-ihSg7NETpECYYyVB36XUdwP7hE4KgJZKNAZdbqmHvl7bYubzHz0wTRS6FdrH8Uh3pbcrlklckFcvAuoXwue831A3sJAkkuMLlhjUWLqKNk_h__imPOx65HG7SCL9aveIn1PO_3FFg/s1600/Leatherback+Turtles-3765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp-ihSg7NETpECYYyVB36XUdwP7hE4KgJZKNAZdbqmHvl7bYubzHz0wTRS6FdrH8Uh3pbcrlklckFcvAuoXwue831A3sJAkkuMLlhjUWLqKNk_h__imPOx65HG7SCL9aveIn1PO_3FFg/s320/Leatherback+Turtles-3765.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId5QUiasxtPWlZ14rEeDtIyY9i0vV7ZYHpH8iqMz_zKd2Tn6ATLYdhnAswZrIbdoKqueV1Rs4NtZwN9OBWG81BYESqEaGqQEkxAA79WMlabN8Cf9OfzEWZD_enlR8XgZTRQ2ykqqlP5Q/s1600/Leatherback+Turtles-3777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjId5QUiasxtPWlZ14rEeDtIyY9i0vV7ZYHpH8iqMz_zKd2Tn6ATLYdhnAswZrIbdoKqueV1Rs4NtZwN9OBWG81BYESqEaGqQEkxAA79WMlabN8Cf9OfzEWZD_enlR8XgZTRQ2ykqqlP5Q/s320/Leatherback+Turtles-3777.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We got
back to school sometime after 2 in the morning and, for once, I shut our alarm
clock off and we let ourselves sleep in.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have
been entirely preoccupied with my hobbies lately—something I’m not ashamed of
at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from the painting and
crafting and knitting, I’ve been experimenting more and more with indoor
photography and different subjects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
completely fixated on contrast, key and color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I should have expected all along, I’m beginning to notice the subtle
nuances of surrealism and expansion (gosh, let’s be honest, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">insanity</i>) I inject into my other
artistic hobbies taking hold on my photography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve done a number of indoor shots, testing the effects of lighting,
color, background, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, more
recently, self-portraits with high-contrast makeup and hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, I’ve got a beat on a model for next
term, so I can branch out a little more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07xpM4rLOVeSFiBsAM3fxgi2Z1jAe4mhYIF-FwqzPqGeMko10rPcJYwu9zEE7oNY7j0J1i1wB0SjpSkgv-eOdhWHSWwo0XvFmR95JYO6O2ASeyv0M2Nmur6d9Mn-jwEU6bo0ylTUqLXo/s1600/20130418-IMG_2275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07xpM4rLOVeSFiBsAM3fxgi2Z1jAe4mhYIF-FwqzPqGeMko10rPcJYwu9zEE7oNY7j0J1i1wB0SjpSkgv-eOdhWHSWwo0XvFmR95JYO6O2ASeyv0M2Nmur6d9Mn-jwEU6bo0ylTUqLXo/s320/20130418-IMG_2275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUDwZtrbVlZuujhcy7s1ACbqbJCxIWZCMTqWAA8eRlbfwty3XMRNISBpfSX_-McpotFMNsoEu4AJSE-qYzsYPF7TYihLqbTPZtfdw5hhGyQrEwobTrI4U1R3FMMaDJyydpkSJ6mmKyO0/s1600/20130419-20130419-IMG_2405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUDwZtrbVlZuujhcy7s1ACbqbJCxIWZCMTqWAA8eRlbfwty3XMRNISBpfSX_-McpotFMNsoEu4AJSE-qYzsYPF7TYihLqbTPZtfdw5hhGyQrEwobTrI4U1R3FMMaDJyydpkSJ6mmKyO0/s320/20130419-20130419-IMG_2405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9-5ZgafMuq_iZBPo1eDtKlbcOYmcttPQsp7WxqDdUdeFmnMHbWNe1PZtTW1RsnXyyhfLrgxhT4koI_J7yY_kVAehdjckBV1Y7KyEi32cIKZ7jv_L2yJgHUcLDUe0q8R0ImEahGYG_uY/s1600/20130419-IMG_2509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9-5ZgafMuq_iZBPo1eDtKlbcOYmcttPQsp7WxqDdUdeFmnMHbWNe1PZtTW1RsnXyyhfLrgxhT4koI_J7yY_kVAehdjckBV1Y7KyEi32cIKZ7jv_L2yJgHUcLDUe0q8R0ImEahGYG_uY/s320/20130419-IMG_2509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Also,
SGU had a successful Boston marathon memorial run, which I was able to
photograph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I photographed a diabetes
and hypertension awareness run recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will be continuing my position on the Photography Club’s executive
board next term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The PC club had a super
fun workshop about lighting where we got to experiment with studio
lighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also had a leisurely trip
to BBC beach for some sunset pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I’m pretty sure if I didn’t have pictures of all of this, I would
completely forget what I did since my last update!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And the malaria…
oh the malaria…</div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67899999999997411.6199695 -62.324446999999971 12.6130305 -61.033552999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-70880661429438415912013-04-11T17:19:00.003-04:002013-04-11T17:37:43.798-04:00Cruising the Caribbean Sea (and other adventures)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
suppose not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everyone</i> is on Facebook,
but I would wager that most people reading this blog are a part of the popular
networking site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m also guessing
that most of you are my Facebook “friends.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If that’s the case, then you’re also probably aware of my super awesome
weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Want to know more about
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(That was a rhetorical
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time you’re reading
this, I’ve already completed and published this post and the following tale of
my super awesome weekend has been written for X amount of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So by answering that question, you’re just
deciding whether or not you’re going to continue reading. [This is a
parenthetical statement inside a parenthetical statement just to tell you that
this blog is called Digressions for a reason (Ooh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something shiny!).].)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here you go:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My super awesome weekend</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the
risk of sparking a world-wrecking argument about when the weekend actually
begins, I’m going to go ahead and say that our weekend started on Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day Ivan’s first set of midterms
ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t actually remember what we
did after the Microbiology midterm was finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty sure we just geeked-out (that’s
like vegging out, but with more dork-friendly activities and less potato chips)
and played games all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Super
awesome, no?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Okay,
scratch Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing really happened
except that Ivan finally had a night off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And we spent it dork-aliciously!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Saturday
the fun started.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Late
Saturday morning, Ivan and I met with a group of friends on Grand Anse beach to
await the arrival of the catamaran that was going to take us around the island
for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had ten people total on
the boat (a very small number) which made the day more intimate and (IMHO <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><--</span></span>
that’s an annoying acronym for In My Honest Opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These Annoying Acronyms, or AAs, can be found
all over Facebook.) a lot more fun.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoVjJf5x7cvOQqq2FRc-er6dtTftYMhVdZ-K7prqwZeAVKdti0sTQhcsk2MU72Se_ucLJ1e1IDaVSTFtJCh2f_dxQ3FHtWqu1H9OAO1qXPcRgNALl6Ls8ipJZSJ8LrOytyH15UF9zEC0/s1600/Catamaran-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoVjJf5x7cvOQqq2FRc-er6dtTftYMhVdZ-K7prqwZeAVKdti0sTQhcsk2MU72Se_ucLJ1e1IDaVSTFtJCh2f_dxQ3FHtWqu1H9OAO1qXPcRgNALl6Ls8ipJZSJ8LrOytyH15UF9zEC0/s320/Catamaran-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
weather was perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(You’d think I’d get tired of saying that by
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course the weather was
perfect.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky was blue blue blue
with barely a puff of clouds and the sea was a swirling blend of viridian and
smoky blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island, though, was less
the lush greenery like a verdant wildfire rushing up the mountains as it was a
threadbare brownish and yellow husk, dry and cracking from the waterless months
of the dry season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little depressing,
I know, but we barely had time to mourn the missing growth as we cruised along
the western coast, drinks in hand and chatting away the stress of a landlubber’s
life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCP0SxQcVgN8rmYt4lGbGn51V3nIchFZRGEbjH_FqARsgXp1L567ytqfJ43nu_CcnRPYUX2ZQf7TUGfyccLypPpDiTB61a-vnSYOaG__lJ_QKFdIJz1noWclWgWaOjdpSOGUvmF2mXzA/s1600/Catamaran-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCP0SxQcVgN8rmYt4lGbGn51V3nIchFZRGEbjH_FqARsgXp1L567ytqfJ43nu_CcnRPYUX2ZQf7TUGfyccLypPpDiTB61a-vnSYOaG__lJ_QKFdIJz1noWclWgWaOjdpSOGUvmF2mXzA/s320/Catamaran-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
first stop was an area known as Mango Bay—a small dent in the island where the
cliffs cup a romantic little sandy beach with a bar built from bamboo a couple
yards from the tide and the few bamboo dining tables on the sand are covered
with palm-leaf umbrellas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the very
center of the beach is a single almond tree supporting an inviting hammock.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk83iP8A8tBakZxwjgv6VzQPUXlpPDIL4HwXpNHrzypsv38g4OuDD__airlRqAmow56kJzUDkgmkXM-FgSATIGwgV0lqwSBZBniv8ilE8J3PWCZEN0MD_T1W5wf20LCFVL605_YVxsYQ/s1600/Catamaran-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk83iP8A8tBakZxwjgv6VzQPUXlpPDIL4HwXpNHrzypsv38g4OuDD__airlRqAmow56kJzUDkgmkXM-FgSATIGwgV0lqwSBZBniv8ilE8J3PWCZEN0MD_T1W5wf20LCFVL605_YVxsYQ/s320/Catamaran-56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
catamaran’s crew dropped anchor about a hundred yards from the shore and
everyone suited up to go snorkeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
must admit, one of the most influential factors in my decision to go on this
day trip was the prospect of diving (actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">diving</i>) off of the boat into the Caribbean Sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, how many people can say that they’ve
dove into the Caribbean Sea?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like, from
a solid surface, leapt into the air and cleaved the turquoise waters with their
outstretched arms?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can say that I have done that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few times!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlEWfbD7gGGuUY9WgBcg7GGiQ0yYZWibUYgrGJhWNP88bvr5LvVQVQ6T6AghIxmklet8NO8HmKi5u0R_vE61dQGMHV62B0BjCoXla-RuY1-Tln_Vhqvy6zcdRQnkQXgjxKIIAeIcid-U/s1600/Catamaran-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlEWfbD7gGGuUY9WgBcg7GGiQ0yYZWibUYgrGJhWNP88bvr5LvVQVQ6T6AghIxmklet8NO8HmKi5u0R_vE61dQGMHV62B0BjCoXla-RuY1-Tln_Vhqvy6zcdRQnkQXgjxKIIAeIcid-U/s320/Catamaran-54.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Yz6XopTRjIZb9tSJMJIsa2Y2CsGTUylGUy1is4xaxieRiu3ZKHv9Az0_aarleeOjSlGPYaLRF2dsrxmr7tgDfqRtfHe3LbkOxedXdiiDhTBDCm09hDaONKU_V5tZcUVNc6WuY4TjAR0/s1600/Catamaran-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Yz6XopTRjIZb9tSJMJIsa2Y2CsGTUylGUy1is4xaxieRiu3ZKHv9Az0_aarleeOjSlGPYaLRF2dsrxmr7tgDfqRtfHe3LbkOxedXdiiDhTBDCm09hDaONKU_V5tZcUVNc6WuY4TjAR0/s320/Catamaran-51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was
super awesome.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now on
to the snorkeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were at it for
about an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reefs in that area
were much nicer than the ones we usually visit at Magazine Beach and were
teaming with wildlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first the
schools of fish skimming directly below us were charming, but eventually I
started to get irritated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were so
many of them, I couldn’t even see where I was going!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone made the comment that there were so
many fish, they weren’t traveling in a school; they were traveling in a
university! (chuckle)</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We saw
tangs, sand dollars, gars, urchins, box fish, and two-thousand six-hundred and
fifty-three other fish that were colorful and shiny and completely
unrecognizable by me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we swam
ashore and had lunch on the beach.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
lunch, we said “to heck with waiting thirty minutes for our food to digest” and
promptly began bouncing on the inflatable water trampoline, and subsequently
falling off the water trampoline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
bouncing and falling off became a cycle for the next couple of hilarious hours
before we heaved to (is that right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
Pirate is a little rusty, yarr!) and set off back down the coast.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZCCqIL5QDGu3tTOG7MwYbtM-11xLuz0LmiGOaVe-ALH2TY6F9rxi-U-Pe6WiIRc3QmDrFLcIU_TCZfz8kvIghxKTfr-uARS-MXKmJ5qUF1Mifz40g4br8j9BHWN1iBMPCRfMAf5Vr2w/s1600/Catamaran-64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZCCqIL5QDGu3tTOG7MwYbtM-11xLuz0LmiGOaVe-ALH2TY6F9rxi-U-Pe6WiIRc3QmDrFLcIU_TCZfz8kvIghxKTfr-uARS-MXKmJ5qUF1Mifz40g4br8j9BHWN1iBMPCRfMAf5Vr2w/s320/Catamaran-64.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqJ6AADHQh_osdRD0TXJrqKRSCl-lQw9XRky-VM2rnpBMRWKIwt1U8SqMNyKmQmBg7jTBg0BAsXYMoq-xGmjYmJU4e4U1aPKnvhcnF2yWObR_v6sqnelEw8Z-fin7Ms3Ro1P7Nw-gT2U/s1600/Catamaran-77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqJ6AADHQh_osdRD0TXJrqKRSCl-lQw9XRky-VM2rnpBMRWKIwt1U8SqMNyKmQmBg7jTBg0BAsXYMoq-xGmjYmJU4e4U1aPKnvhcnF2yWObR_v6sqnelEw8Z-fin7Ms3Ro1P7Nw-gT2U/s320/Catamaran-77.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuxw4xnT3wKOoxxAKAnY_bCvair5mfGEAkl9E1_ZRfVCWdGnm8xDdUWDyganHeKiJRAFsaJMGDHhSjILHaGJuHaMsu4rDXsCnTlm-84nZQHG0jU5Xs_ZrIPWDlzwUW51MO5mU7Mb2_Do/s1600/Catamaran-96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuxw4xnT3wKOoxxAKAnY_bCvair5mfGEAkl9E1_ZRfVCWdGnm8xDdUWDyganHeKiJRAFsaJMGDHhSjILHaGJuHaMsu4rDXsCnTlm-84nZQHG0jU5Xs_ZrIPWDlzwUW51MO5mU7Mb2_Do/s320/Catamaran-96.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our last
stop was Flamingo Bay (or Molinere Bay or Moilinere or Moliniere, depending on
what site/map you look at), the location of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molinere_Underwater_Sculpture_Park" target="_blank">Grenada’s underwater sculpture park</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To anyone who’s not familiar with
it, I know an underwater sculpture park sounds odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a relatively recent creation and is a
tourist attraction for scuba divers and snorkelers alike.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStvIzip-zs2sYLDj3VhgizTwzhLKUzuuRB7fyzpA_BzN7VDtmem9HZ9uG02Ids5UzaQJCdjB_J-kzed_eAWEm05h32VzGlnyFJg1dCLZ6dXkZC29CcTtMHXxXQWdM27zbBCS4PZFvCBo/s1600/Catamaran-124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStvIzip-zs2sYLDj3VhgizTwzhLKUzuuRB7fyzpA_BzN7VDtmem9HZ9uG02Ids5UzaQJCdjB_J-kzed_eAWEm05h32VzGlnyFJg1dCLZ6dXkZC29CcTtMHXxXQWdM27zbBCS4PZFvCBo/s320/Catamaran-124.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: David Spinler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtUzowBTcHd_6oy4qtf33cx8UFKDbqrHyUy14N7pKDIcO9KAnykYdCG1y0JnJngesq0Zxl3RMsTde0wHnUhtX8Rd4i_xc3HRi0mNq4vnM8tj1u2W2oeaq7vUIHFV7v-9dRRQ3MyOONeE/s1600/Catamaran-109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtUzowBTcHd_6oy4qtf33cx8UFKDbqrHyUy14N7pKDIcO9KAnykYdCG1y0JnJngesq0Zxl3RMsTde0wHnUhtX8Rd4i_xc3HRi0mNq4vnM8tj1u2W2oeaq7vUIHFV7v-9dRRQ3MyOONeE/s320/Catamaran-109.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: David Spindler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
statues are not very deep; so they’re all accessible without the need for
expensive scuba equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though a
serious set of lungs may help you enjoy your trip underwater a little
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We paddled around for a while,
visiting the two rings of children and the mermaid and the bench and the heads
lined up on a rock.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn3SjJRpvqIU3irDEBCTWpikFKGakTkhqnI6mbO7BqKFxDVB5kSA7-KKTetFwNj326RTTKH3oiKcq7Nixw4o6WW0CIZ4zukNGUAGYvzlky0kN1wVzFbN8qkiOpA7vZvsY1CFzDLio1gI/s1600/Catamaran-108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn3SjJRpvqIU3irDEBCTWpikFKGakTkhqnI6mbO7BqKFxDVB5kSA7-KKTetFwNj326RTTKH3oiKcq7Nixw4o6WW0CIZ4zukNGUAGYvzlky0kN1wVzFbN8qkiOpA7vZvsY1CFzDLio1gI/s320/Catamaran-108.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: David Spindler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The more
I talk about it, the more creepy I realize it sounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, really, it is pretty creepy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially the faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you swim down to the children or the heads
or the praying woman, you can look right into their faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then you can wish that you hadn’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
statues are created from casts taken from Grenadian people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So their realistic qualities are a
given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even in a short amount of
time, the blank faces end up being miniature ecosystems for plants and
coral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the statues were placed
in Flamingo Bay recently, but their eerie unmoving bodies are crawling with
life and the fluttering black seaweed tends to project on the figures a
silently decaying condition.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We were
returned to Grand Anse beach after visiting the sculpture park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that was the end of our super awesome
day.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
More Super Awesome Weekend</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two-thousand
seven-hundred and fifty-six feet above sea level you will find the top of Mt.
St. Catherine, Grenada’s highest point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Saint_Catherine_%28Grenada%29" target="_blank">Wikipedia </a>calls the “[…approach] to the top” of the stratovolcano (I don’t
know what that word means, but I like the sounds of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even though it is a hyperlink on
Wikipedia and I am one click away from knowing what a stratovolcano is, I won’t
click it because I like to use big words that I don’t fully understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God bless America.) “somewhat strenuous.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To which I would like to respond with an
eloquent, “Say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whaaaaat</i>?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
stratovolcano’s top was a beast to approach, Wikipedia!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here’s
what happened: at around 6am on Sunday, Ivan and I met with Nick and John for <a href="http://connect.garmin.com/activity/294863722#.UWHiqekRt-4.facebook" target="_blank">a trip to Mt. St. Catherine.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan was
to hike the mountain at a brisk pace, like a run-hike (though I did more of a
complain-hike).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKdwBJS5geCmYPdfw3J-fcxsn6Xu_U3lQS7Jf2ee1E7HTynWjif38xdOyboquuuoFyiOilcZS77L6XzfWWl5zjYuOUvXKF020qF-hDN-Yj98a7AkjEwvN_YVCAU9SddXfIXaA27SNGjk/s1600/IMGP0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKdwBJS5geCmYPdfw3J-fcxsn6Xu_U3lQS7Jf2ee1E7HTynWjif38xdOyboquuuoFyiOilcZS77L6XzfWWl5zjYuOUvXKF020qF-hDN-Yj98a7AkjEwvN_YVCAU9SddXfIXaA27SNGjk/s320/IMGP0909.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before heading out (L-R) Nick, Ivan, Allison, John (Photo credit: Nick Mosca)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
having been to Mt. St. Catherine only once before, Nick miraculously found his
way back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s an hour drive without a
single wrong turn, for anyone who needs more reason to be impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all had our hydration packs (except John
who had iodine tablets and a greater sense of adventure than I) and food for
refueling at the top of the mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
still had a blister on my heel from the hash the week before…</div>
<div class="MsoQuote" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifC0Xjad_M1p4ve3-CkH5JiqnJrOg8b9txP3aBLkTlxY51EMq9fu1VlbLcgxLOd2BULoUarIT3h_ZQf8VyKaYpmgyO4M2t07jysF85ii5xI8KLf_13l7xHPwWa_5SMs5AGO6uocNLasQ8/s1600/887267_10151321658581790_568635679_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifC0Xjad_M1p4ve3-CkH5JiqnJrOg8b9txP3aBLkTlxY51EMq9fu1VlbLcgxLOd2BULoUarIT3h_ZQf8VyKaYpmgyO4M2t07jysF85ii5xI8KLf_13l7xHPwWa_5SMs5AGO6uocNLasQ8/s320/887267_10151321658581790_568635679_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of the swamp part of the hash. Photo taken from the hash site</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Digression: That hash was
insane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went through the swamp three
times and since we’re in the dry season now, the swamp was just sort of like
quicksand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we had to follow the
coast, up against cactus-covered cliff face and the rising tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was after rushing through the first
thorn field, but before rushing through the second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day after, I pulled a thorn out of one of
the many cuts on my leg.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>…and we
don’t have any medical tape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to
make sure that the blister was covered during our hike, so I improvised a foot
wrap with some masking tape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
definitely wasn’t the prettiest thing, but my blister was unaffected that day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJyoTgMCoKgc5lKdgtRs7EB3a4KC9GGV4MjEAyykhFC5zugF63SdrF8ILp3UAizvd4lo9Hw-wI46_NPxPoIGv-PXiRvSsAi7sD9xY4uZCgqwCoKsEsC2_ZYvpSpj0K15YmbXLO0qXGw4/s1600/Mt+St+Catherine-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJyoTgMCoKgc5lKdgtRs7EB3a4KC9GGV4MjEAyykhFC5zugF63SdrF8ILp3UAizvd4lo9Hw-wI46_NPxPoIGv-PXiRvSsAi7sD9xY4uZCgqwCoKsEsC2_ZYvpSpj0K15YmbXLO0qXGw4/s320/Mt+St+Catherine-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Climbing
the mountain was hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found out pretty
quickly that the muscles I use for running up a mountain are the same ones I
use for swimming with fins and since I’d done quite a bit of snorkeling the day
before, my muscles were throbbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still, we were afforded some pretty amazing views. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, after a few ridiculously steep
stretches, we found ourselves on a ridge winding between two lower peaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On either side, the ground dropped away to a
sweeping jungle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further out we could
see the coast and the white glinting of the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahead and above, the sun and sky were gone
and our path drove into the grey ceiling of the clouds.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitU2N0h8K2sUJF4lHF-18djb5K2B5pKVAuJeKomh6A-DALFHitFzpG5EcWgK2Hu4Nk2vmskcPEak3n4-v1Omv0Ro0sjLjEsCnH2DBQhK7ZTdKYc-LDmIr9xvT3lED_DrG8Tr740FYQCJY/s1600/IMGP0948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitU2N0h8K2sUJF4lHF-18djb5K2B5pKVAuJeKomh6A-DALFHitFzpG5EcWgK2Hu4Nk2vmskcPEak3n4-v1Omv0Ro0sjLjEsCnH2DBQhK7ZTdKYc-LDmIr9xvT3lED_DrG8Tr740FYQCJY/s320/IMGP0948.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a rope at one particularly steep point (Photo credit: Nick)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo9zEXve4adqP9UJGR-3p3RKrrej4QH36LxQ4W0b10dLgSx8soRbZ_e46N-dCUJe4QAxtVsF42trhdG-M-_ycjj2VQdPjx8udtD_ihJdnpWT2adGC52Ht0oTdP0Y80UuKvlBWeMSrblA/s1600/IMGP0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo9zEXve4adqP9UJGR-3p3RKrrej4QH36LxQ4W0b10dLgSx8soRbZ_e46N-dCUJe4QAxtVsF42trhdG-M-_ycjj2VQdPjx8udtD_ihJdnpWT2adGC52Ht0oTdP0Y80UuKvlBWeMSrblA/s320/IMGP0928.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: John Weller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the
peak, we were completely submerged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was no Grenada around us anymore, just a sharp wind and a
consuming, opaque fog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate our
lunches and it was time to go back down. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTruWWX7flC1oaM4VNfk5-o_e91s2YHrtiKUBYZ7nfNH3X39Jmb4-gQPc34Gz2JeHUHDAXuHLw51C73y3ZcJFDzyCJtnSEI40X3SsLAcVDSTpJbjAlzWW-2lF-vBuZ8cdo0cn-t90zBu8/s1600/IMGP0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTruWWX7flC1oaM4VNfk5-o_e91s2YHrtiKUBYZ7nfNH3X39Jmb4-gQPc34Gz2JeHUHDAXuHLw51C73y3ZcJFDzyCJtnSEI40X3SsLAcVDSTpJbjAlzWW-2lF-vBuZ8cdo0cn-t90zBu8/s320/IMGP0953.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the peak. You wouldn't know it, but Sunday was a very sunny day! (Photo credit: Nick)</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If
ascending the mountain was hard, descending it was a blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The path was narrow enough at the steepest
points that trees and branches were always an arm-length away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing I could just reach out and grab one to
slow down or turn abruptly, I went for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I moved as fast as I could, without making any blatantly stupid
decisions, and only fell a few times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, just because a tree is available for grabbing doesn’t
mean it also is rooted to the spot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
banged my elbow off of a rock and twisted my ankle a couple times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worst was my back, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not entirely sure what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I slipped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generally speaking, if you’re in the jungle,
everything is wet and moss-covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And,
therefore, slippery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was running
down a hill and grabbed a bamboo tree to pivot around, but bamboo is way too
smooth and I lost my grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I think I
stepped on a mossy rock or something slick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My feet went out and a gnarly root caught my fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me a minute or two to get over the
initial shock, but Ivan looked at it and said I was fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out he was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a nasty bruise and a cluster of burst capillaries
and that’s it. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZa7FaRPUoHiojOWOc4-snej39cBmcYcFuFuarePrsW6ANdjErePe8jFnFIg8IlU0cDJUMi0OSQsIH2oKgsfHkoxUGoeCaCVYImlNzVTYilbkmWusxSwycOhilpDPW0NZZWp7fUUxuec/s1600/IMGP0969.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZa7FaRPUoHiojOWOc4-snej39cBmcYcFuFuarePrsW6ANdjErePe8jFnFIg8IlU0cDJUMi0OSQsIH2oKgsfHkoxUGoeCaCVYImlNzVTYilbkmWusxSwycOhilpDPW0NZZWp7fUUxuec/s320/IMGP0969.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of the hike (Photo credit: Nick)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14jEPajxvnuBmw1jTsJaJjJlAeu1sVlX2DPl3FdByIn4_0VUOdKcEPJQUjIuGUPIAPsvf5OTnkk0qjxRXDjz5VWjLVidcDMBNh6rieOjqSJchAWQllb4yF9PGxyzJ0D74gCKD90tI60E/s1600/IMGP0913.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14jEPajxvnuBmw1jTsJaJjJlAeu1sVlX2DPl3FdByIn4_0VUOdKcEPJQUjIuGUPIAPsvf5OTnkk0qjxRXDjz5VWjLVidcDMBNh6rieOjqSJchAWQllb4yF9PGxyzJ0D74gCKD90tI60E/s320/IMGP0913.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick was pretty excited to find the cache of "beads!" (Photo credit: John)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we
finished the run, we collected some seeds off of the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The seeds (referred to by the local we asked
as “beads”) are used to make jewelry and sold to tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what tree they come from, but
they fall from it already polished and bright red.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcD92v2sc8I78OEeE1ziPOtd1Pfpk0zWK3P-wGPuf32ainwAhf3qMnh5P4OnCX2IS2qy6zVuUpyzD__eoghu0jq6YXZbvYnPHw4skPp6TDaYLh2VGLqGf8gP3G0qbFUKlWJwrROUiWgc/s1600/Mt+St+Catherine-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcD92v2sc8I78OEeE1ziPOtd1Pfpk0zWK3P-wGPuf32ainwAhf3qMnh5P4OnCX2IS2qy6zVuUpyzD__eoghu0jq6YXZbvYnPHw4skPp6TDaYLh2VGLqGf8gP3G0qbFUKlWJwrROUiWgc/s320/Mt+St+Catherine-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29Cdn7pgoWp1TW45HYkS2jO-dc-1L1Q76b1MkOD9ue4VDxBNgOzgnC-XiRsVpqYljDdLxqww2eEuNkOXvTkHZIAF5CpdNKKoptGoVRedHmYw-m3Z9PddyxJv96Bibdl1KPfqaUN_29lM/s1600/Mt+St+Catherine-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29Cdn7pgoWp1TW45HYkS2jO-dc-1L1Q76b1MkOD9ue4VDxBNgOzgnC-XiRsVpqYljDdLxqww2eEuNkOXvTkHZIAF5CpdNKKoptGoVRedHmYw-m3Z9PddyxJv96Bibdl1KPfqaUN_29lM/s320/Mt+St+Catherine-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Along
with a couple handfuls of local “beads,” I also took away from the excursion an
appreciation for the accelerated dilapidating effect the mountain had on my
Skele-Toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we left, the shoes were
essentially whole (except for a few tears here and there).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we’d finished, there were gaping
holes in the fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now three of my
toes can hang right out the sides!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ta-da!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was my super awesome weekend!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
(Curiosity got the best of me and I looked up
stratovolcano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I know what it means
and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratovolcano" target="_blank">so can you!</a>)</div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com1Grenada12.1165 -61.67899999999997411.6199695 -62.324446999999971 12.6130305 -61.033552999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-52849065053528538632013-03-29T13:52:00.001-04:002013-03-29T13:52:27.298-04:00Did I Ever Tell You About Cockroach Fight Club?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The First Rule of Cockroach Fight Club is—<s>You
don’t talk about Cockroach Fight Club</s> You get the wicked jeebies talking
about Cockroach Fight Club</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>The Second Rule of Cockroach Fight Club is—You never
leave Cockroach Fight Club with all of your limbs.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
If you have all
your limbs, you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have</i> to fight.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
How much have I complained about our first apartment on
the island?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a rhetorical
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer is always <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not enough</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from the <a href="http://allisonawayfromhome.blogspot.com/2012/05/final-death-toll.html" target="_blank">mosquito massacre</a> (1,000 dead
mosquitoes in 19 weeks) and the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/minephotomobile/6883690035/" target="_blank">tick-infested, matted dogs</a> owned by a landlord
who told me my bout of illness (<a href="http://allisonawayfromhome.blogspot.com/2012/02/caught-in-karma-storm.html" target="_blank">complete with roaming hives and fistfuls of prescriptions</a>) was a figment of my imagination, we had bug issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ants are annoying, especially barely visible
sugar ants that can find a molecule of oatmeal on a countertop and will
withstand persistent bleaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Millipedes
are crunchy underfoot and a pain to clean up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But cockroaches?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No amount of the
most heinous obscenities you have ever heard can possible match my loathing of
these shiny garbage-munching ^$#&*^@*&!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Probably the biggest influence in my abhorrence is the implication of
filth that goes hand-in-hand with cockroaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having never lived in an environment where cockroaches would be prevalent,
I assumed cockroaches are only a nuisance for those people who practice subpar
cleaning techniques.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have been
known to kick people out of my house for leaving crumbs on the counter (that’s
a hyperbole, but you get the point), I had a hard time not taking the bugs’
presence as an insult to my cleanliness.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of
the strangest aspects of their visits was the legs we’d find every morning
underneath our wooden knife block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Peculiar, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I’d gotten
over my complete horror at the daily cleanup of bug crumbs, I began wondering
what on Earth was happening in my kitchen while I slept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I came to the conclusion that the
cockroaches had organized a Cockroach Fight Club and were holding meetings
under the knife block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For as much as I
detest the revolting soft-bellied beetles, I was actually pretty entertained at
the thought of them gathering for the spectacle of their own brothers
dismembering each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even mentally
added cartoon cheering every time a limb was snapped in half or gnawed away at
the joint.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I never
used the knives from the block because… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gross</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I didn’t throw the block away because I
liked to think they were killing each other under there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And maybe every time a cockroach croaked, a little
insectile chant flooded the countertops: “his name was Cockroach Paulson… his
name was Cockroach Paulson… his name was Cockroach Paulson…”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s
been almost a year since we moved out of that apartment and only now do I
finally feel distant enough from the trauma of Cockroach Fight Club to actually
talk about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s my point in this
story?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That place sucked!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Excuse the lack of eloquent prose, but there
is no dodging the truth there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being on
campus has been such a pleasant change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For instance: we have had a big fat <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">zero</i>
cockroaches in our apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And none cockroaches makes for a less
traumatized Allison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve had no
millipedes and the few ants we’ve seen were nowhere near our food!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mosquitoes are a thing of the past and no
tool of a landlord in sight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week,
we were notified that we were successful in next term’s housing lottery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means we will spend our last term on campus,
entirely cockroach-free!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more
Cockroach Fight Club or forgotten limbs!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmILmTADtwdBVRhoLyJqLcDaRf78mCRucZ6B3lnVxfNPuejz7FFDVfKEQtF5OZ9XAlbLoZLqY9THvEsQi9bNOMdUVBeKMx0W8DlwsSAGAfJR2oqCrjXVWh37Lj-a_trOLnbpOBHJquJ3k/s1600/IMG_2842-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmILmTADtwdBVRhoLyJqLcDaRf78mCRucZ6B3lnVxfNPuejz7FFDVfKEQtF5OZ9XAlbLoZLqY9THvEsQi9bNOMdUVBeKMx0W8DlwsSAGAfJR2oqCrjXVWh37Lj-a_trOLnbpOBHJquJ3k/s320/IMG_2842-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Speaking
of cockroaches, we celebrated our friend’s thirtieth birthday last week with a surprise
lunch party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In between her lectures and
labs, Melanie was caught off guard by a group of her friends with pizza and
favors in a decorated pavilion on campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The theme of the short celebration was “dirty thirty” and a couple of
Melanie’s friends went above and beyond with the preparations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d whipped up a batch of delicious
cupcakes, each featuring a chunk of Godiva chocolate on top (the intentions
were for the chocolate to resemble mud, though I thought they made pretty good
turds), except one cupcake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melanie’s
extra special cupcake was extra “dirty” with a monstrous cockroach baked right
into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that feeling you get
when you see something ridiculously disgusting, like your shoulders squeeze in
and your chest sort of collapses?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah,
that about sums it up.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfimW3JXOaQ8Tkx5l6OAfsPt9MzxEFzvYahY_ljO706uHKaQ5ixg58zKTxL0gaXcbXOnAvsxnJKjTUdu8Fu16DW41OU94IyGLReI8g1-6lsojIkDHflVWNjrsSB46sKhlkxA92q8Tt0Y4/s1600/IMG_2844-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfimW3JXOaQ8Tkx5l6OAfsPt9MzxEFzvYahY_ljO706uHKaQ5ixg58zKTxL0gaXcbXOnAvsxnJKjTUdu8Fu16DW41OU94IyGLReI8g1-6lsojIkDHflVWNjrsSB46sKhlkxA92q8Tt0Y4/s320/IMG_2844-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking casual while we wait to surprise the birthday girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebJeBVpnEIkU6SKVh9KbKVScGax0D9WBDjRKwSXdFYtiagsDB0bVeVS0NU0E2eh5Fq0WZ7hSzPy5mGsOgpqwlggpit7IqqlyK-7UHuPPXWlshU7pRVtMMK58H1Wi-Xx0c3w_e1eddkes/s1600/IMG_2858-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebJeBVpnEIkU6SKVh9KbKVScGax0D9WBDjRKwSXdFYtiagsDB0bVeVS0NU0E2eh5Fq0WZ7hSzPy5mGsOgpqwlggpit7IqqlyK-7UHuPPXWlshU7pRVtMMK58H1Wi-Xx0c3w_e1eddkes/s320/IMG_2858-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discovering the buggy cupcake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kotp3XT5uQBNpPzR5IMERAGZrHJz04X7VDfArxZyjAPmvD5xdON5nZBOBFXNhvH78YIBZvng1SW3kNOtvUaq7O8NG4FY3C65Mlh70BZIqU-SUn3BIUrS11XdW8vOD4NrFJHNSb9H6aI/s1600/IMG_2860-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kotp3XT5uQBNpPzR5IMERAGZrHJz04X7VDfArxZyjAPmvD5xdON5nZBOBFXNhvH78YIBZvng1SW3kNOtvUaq7O8NG4FY3C65Mlh70BZIqU-SUn3BIUrS11XdW8vOD4NrFJHNSb9H6aI/s320/IMG_2860-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
dirtiness didn’t stop there, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Melanie’s birthday present was faithful to the party’s theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls told Melanie to close her eyes
(which she actually did!) and smell the gift bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ooh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It smells good!” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then,
keeping her eyes closed, Melanie was told to reach in and collect her
present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she reached in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yanked her hand back out, yelling, “Ew!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is it?!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Real hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her friends had been collecting their own
hair to bundle up and tuck away for Melanie’s “dirty thirty.”</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTct9vuQLp4IfL75eh6a4mSJsPXrzYoiGeAzKs6lveic4RSPcNNqBJ-NcRblz-itMAsFsSkg4O64LXs7yLa9QCEDRE5H0o-s8hfbWvbFvTaOSFdCc_g4MUitH8V4AYvNqv9-qXNLnjVQ/s1600/IMG_2863-2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTct9vuQLp4IfL75eh6a4mSJsPXrzYoiGeAzKs6lveic4RSPcNNqBJ-NcRblz-itMAsFsSkg4O64LXs7yLa9QCEDRE5H0o-s8hfbWvbFvTaOSFdCc_g4MUitH8V4AYvNqv9-qXNLnjVQ/s320/IMG_2863-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The
pizza was delicious and completely devoid of cockroaches or hair and we had a
great, albeit brief, time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think Ivan
and I were still laughing as we headed back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gag gifts are just the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are lighthearted and invoke
laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no pressure to respond
a certain way since laughter is an appropriate response and, generally, the
automatic response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you go wrong with
a gag gift?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I suppose you could <a href="http://www.thegoofygiftshop.com/safe_sex_condoms.php" target="_blank">go too far</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sandblast,
the midterm “social” (read: five hours of heavy drinking) for SGU students,
took place last Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, we
opted not to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we’ll go for a
couple hours next term since it will be our last term on the island, but I don’t
think we missed anything of particular interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, that evening, we went to a barbecue
at our friends’ house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were
waiting on the bus at school to head over to the barbecue, another bus full of
students pulled up behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
immediately apparent that all the students were coming from Sandblast (which
had just come to an end an hour earlier).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As soon as the bus stopped, the driver jumped out and stormed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other front seat, next to the driver, was
filled with an unconscious student wearing swimming trunks and vomit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The half-opened window next to him was also
splattered with barf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there we were,
just about to leave, dishes and desserts to share sitting on our laps, ready
for a nice evening with friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
think we missed out on much at Sandblast.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl7GxlZXf3vGBEOWhr2E66e7i-p23MEzTp9gYEnsI7mjAdS0xRM2nTuFlYtIlnTSeKghw310LDhwWh0q8YKfxhUUr2Qmflot3M5qNBDE3ozoN_GlHLHCp8o1UNpuA67cnA1xtSisRhOg/s1600/Nyla+Send+Off-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl7GxlZXf3vGBEOWhr2E66e7i-p23MEzTp9gYEnsI7mjAdS0xRM2nTuFlYtIlnTSeKghw310LDhwWh0q8YKfxhUUr2Qmflot3M5qNBDE3ozoN_GlHLHCp8o1UNpuA67cnA1xtSisRhOg/s320/Nyla+Send+Off-17.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
Sunday, a small group of people joined together at Magazine Beach to pay
tribute to a smiley Chihuahua named Nyla who passed away a short time ago after
being intentionally poisoned (you can read the full story from her loving
owner, Cayley, <a href="http://thisliving.wordpress.com/2013/03/10/saying-goodbye-to-nyla-the-bean-mosca/" target="_blank">HERE</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nick and Cayley
provided memorial lanterns for everyone to release at sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On each lantern, we wrote our own words,
remembering Nyla and others we had lost (or, in some instances, names of those
lost by others).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPsF30gbh6REklUM9SbndBpccLug8fDRLbfpdvjzwFmnNdcnRGnzsDvakevogHvmJYdFxBv2a1Ixhs2ESG53OCEHecIZYu6Y2AeCEcoKiwQBl_wiOZrQzHqxmlW3QiKcgTuWZaJcmaGw/s1600/Nyla+Send+Off-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPsF30gbh6REklUM9SbndBpccLug8fDRLbfpdvjzwFmnNdcnRGnzsDvakevogHvmJYdFxBv2a1Ixhs2ESG53OCEHecIZYu6Y2AeCEcoKiwQBl_wiOZrQzHqxmlW3QiKcgTuWZaJcmaGw/s320/Nyla+Send+Off-33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When the
sun went down, we were enveloped in the most brilliant and overwhelmingly
picturesque sky I’ve ever seen in Grenada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The world became a striking contrast of reds and purples, and as the sun
sank lower, the colors just deepened and cast their reach further, so the
clouds were on fire and the water was a vibrant sea of orange and rich black currents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lanterns were lit and, despite the shifting
wind, lifted, one by one against the black silhouetted trees and darkening
sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They rose overhead, teetering in the
breeze, and strayed over the sea before disappearing poetically into the
horizon. (All of the pictures are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/minephotomobile/sets/72157633092255347/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.)</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBygkFXXHhEoEUMKETx3iCSOBOMpK0I7CbpJwH03Xms7VPtSrXfcYOM4TBab4P1xCdjlb-RJnoOFQx1twSiJObsV3o3xdwBb7QjvG0ylNFvjwaDUNcI8TxjX1IhdGXj2Q611sg71W1gGs/s1600/Nyla+Send+Off-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBygkFXXHhEoEUMKETx3iCSOBOMpK0I7CbpJwH03Xms7VPtSrXfcYOM4TBab4P1xCdjlb-RJnoOFQx1twSiJObsV3o3xdwBb7QjvG0ylNFvjwaDUNcI8TxjX1IhdGXj2Q611sg71W1gGs/s320/Nyla+Send+Off-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elly, Nyla's sister</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f7CJnTiMnFgQa5UcAZncORJ16h5AhCrO6L_ZNV9nrezZiQgVcxLSXFOPYnwU2LQf4hEIlUXai4zAbbqYb8RzaA65wZ4qYmKLXvymrNZdHXYm3TpS93_LR18GQqT9iL76sqlTUY71MO0/s1600/Nyla+Send+Off-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f7CJnTiMnFgQa5UcAZncORJ16h5AhCrO6L_ZNV9nrezZiQgVcxLSXFOPYnwU2LQf4hEIlUXai4zAbbqYb8RzaA65wZ4qYmKLXvymrNZdHXYm3TpS93_LR18GQqT9iL76sqlTUY71MO0/s320/Nyla+Send+Off-57.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLGUPGeOUnMYZGyFUNmkaDehqBzHYj1pF3P_bb15njJN59NwnvkHSkgMZKYNJu49dqZ97nVAp0lgRnRkeNRiz7uf_FN8-1Rrr3o1lbcG23tXA72uHnRJ89UpV-qdP1igwfnl4M0cDf4s/s1600/Nyla+Send+Off-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLGUPGeOUnMYZGyFUNmkaDehqBzHYj1pF3P_bb15njJN59NwnvkHSkgMZKYNJu49dqZ97nVAp0lgRnRkeNRiz7uf_FN8-1Rrr3o1lbcG23tXA72uHnRJ89UpV-qdP1igwfnl4M0cDf4s/s320/Nyla+Send+Off-36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Kbxpf3uAKgEBD_hjqoqYbDijo78WRAHD1IfioDGfMPFaZwLgfblOAFFRSmah_S_rP6KBvEsDt-gy5Cq9s95sGMg4D7DP9SVMTXgMXBPUiDsfOIhMkfQxtFH8yXUdickVpOBXXukwd3o/s1600/Nyla+Send+Off-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Kbxpf3uAKgEBD_hjqoqYbDijo78WRAHD1IfioDGfMPFaZwLgfblOAFFRSmah_S_rP6KBvEsDt-gy5Cq9s95sGMg4D7DP9SVMTXgMXBPUiDsfOIhMkfQxtFH8yXUdickVpOBXXukwd3o/s640/Nyla+Send+Off-46.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Next
week marks the start of Ivan’s first set of midterms for term four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His second set will be in May and in June, he
will have his finals.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We haven’t
had the chance to go on many hashes because fourth term has been as arduous as
everyone warned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saturdays are coveted as
ideal study days and Ivan can sacrifice very little of his time doing anything
else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, our early mornings have
still been devoted to time spent together exercising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re lengthening our running distance, with
the intention of completing a half-marathon back home this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been having a hard time, though, since
I’m running in $40 sneakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe a
frugal decision, buying those shoes, but not a practical one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ouch!</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve been very busy
myself with the usual: knitting, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/GoGrayProductions?ref=hl" target="_blank">painting</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/minephotomobile/sets/72157632967262699/" target="_blank">photography</a>, writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been on a real reading kick lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished March’s book club book, Things
Fall Apart by the recently deceased Chinua Achebe, in the last four days of February
and I just finished April’s book club book, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, so
I’d better get on finding another book.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6Sf4yTsI-KOcDNn9p2hkk0XT9O4JbfAULkGDVLLsA2EbDVWYR-rKUURPWgIHUHTem8VgkoznIZSRTyvQNpJCls7CcqmzkflwpbxYRoHeZDBvLRr_ocMfw0zu3qexEUvMQyjaHkE-vyY/s1600/IMG_0789-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6Sf4yTsI-KOcDNn9p2hkk0XT9O4JbfAULkGDVLLsA2EbDVWYR-rKUURPWgIHUHTem8VgkoznIZSRTyvQNpJCls7CcqmzkflwpbxYRoHeZDBvLRr_ocMfw0zu3qexEUvMQyjaHkE-vyY/s320/IMG_0789-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My second scarf with pom-poms!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JsWWUnyAG9YB_g44vwJ7lbBCdfN-Kwi5tQXLuzMdgKcwMG8sVdVNQog5BMJT5xBeRKLh-cLMkQqmcuuuXkDlprfygXh496UZS3t6TelmNQh-Z32EF_AxnyuJx-bkGO2zx9maNZlr91w/s1600/IMG_1635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JsWWUnyAG9YB_g44vwJ7lbBCdfN-Kwi5tQXLuzMdgKcwMG8sVdVNQog5BMJT5xBeRKLh-cLMkQqmcuuuXkDlprfygXh496UZS3t6TelmNQh-Z32EF_AxnyuJx-bkGO2zx9maNZlr91w/s320/IMG_1635.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My third knitting project: hobo gloves!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeoVfwvNoYnnDN5xRHommLH82-N1Xnkjn6YOHWuTtjiEyRqZQcKdK2oYbD-j2X79fxH9ZyIisJUdU6uYGv296sx8jFISeH5o8f0SRW4Lt4loQNz6VKpaTXjzDm7AUSQpvW9mCvs_4PQc/s1600/IMG_1678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeoVfwvNoYnnDN5xRHommLH82-N1Xnkjn6YOHWuTtjiEyRqZQcKdK2oYbD-j2X79fxH9ZyIisJUdU6uYGv296sx8jFISeH5o8f0SRW4Lt4loQNz6VKpaTXjzDm7AUSQpvW9mCvs_4PQc/s320/IMG_1678.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivan said they look like a boxer's hand wraps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVlkmEWDnfYqwjCReIOePJXKGRC370ySu4QZdc2lgJr3OkF0TgUUOmT2bvOlz63EEvkrrok5T7Pp-V7iirRBw4J6r3A9Qd8hBExgAhaJ1WPyzPD-7aQ4Ex7OeAiAWfSep6Kref2Eh1aM/s1600/IMG_1330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVlkmEWDnfYqwjCReIOePJXKGRC370ySu4QZdc2lgJr3OkF0TgUUOmT2bvOlz63EEvkrrok5T7Pp-V7iirRBw4J6r3A9Qd8hBExgAhaJ1WPyzPD-7aQ4Ex7OeAiAWfSep6Kref2Eh1aM/s320/IMG_1330.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During a photo session, I saw these remains. I am very far away from home...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3thzMp2xa91pNt-X1m46_HMHFKF45TZ0JN9IYSWxhn6BVM4LYYz5aGuOaj_0oRzQBB_YiHIInAGibU4I6RSDT7Z48PZSdfZpjQwsfpnq1K2QoKLknP2nwhHU5spbAdyVh_QB9ZKKAm8/s1600/IMG_1215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3thzMp2xa91pNt-X1m46_HMHFKF45TZ0JN9IYSWxhn6BVM4LYYz5aGuOaj_0oRzQBB_YiHIInAGibU4I6RSDT7Z48PZSdfZpjQwsfpnq1K2QoKLknP2nwhHU5spbAdyVh_QB9ZKKAm8/s320/IMG_1215.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the same photo session, I got this sunset at the tidal pools!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<![endif]-->Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67899999999997411.6199695 -62.324446999999971 12.6130305 -61.033552999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-29264249316585748722013-03-11T19:13:00.001-04:002013-03-11T19:13:37.746-04:00Two Months into Year Two<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our “long
stay” (that is, the longest of our four stints in Grenada) is one-third
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two months down and four more to
go before we’ve emerged from fourth term and are preparing for the final leg of
the basic sciences portion of medical school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once that milestone is done, we get to face some real challenges,
starting with the notorious U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE Step 1), before
lifting our shallow roots and settling somewhere brand new for a couple more
years of school in the form of clinical rotations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then (do I even need to think this far ahead
yet?) we start the process of matching for residency programs and relocate yet
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our future, it seems, is paved
with uncertainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laugh when I think
of answering the question “Where do you see yourself in five years?” at a job
interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where will I be five years
from now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be precisely five years
in the future, thank you very much.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With all
of this perfect ambiguity of what’s to come, I find comfort in immediate
productivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is to say, I do my
best to keep busy because, idle, I do nothing but stress and I’ve already found
a grey hair before my thirtieth birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As it turns out, I’m not so bad at keeping busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Short term productivity, I have a number of
hobbies and a handful of responsibilities that keep my downtime at a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">freedom</i> level, rather than a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">boredom</i> level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long term productivity gives me something
substantial to project into our uncertain future.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Long
term, we anticipate ending up in New York City for clinical rotations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should be placed sometime around May or
June of next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because preparation
is my department, I’ve mapped out the subway system relative to the hospitals
Ivan will be working with and created a Google map marking each location and
finding a central area to begin apartment hunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With safety and location in mind, I found a
number of studio apartments in Brooklyn (all large dog-friendly) with rent
equal to or less than what we are paying on campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, they are unfurnished, but we will
<a href="http://www.lovesac.com/" target="_blank">make do.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>May or
June of next year is the furthest I can project any productive planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From then on, who knows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Closing the gap between now and May, Ivan
should take his Step 1 in March of next year, after a few months of intense
studying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between finishing the exam and
clinical placement, we have one last wonderful break before medical school
collapses on us again and we are buried until years of work will finally give
way to real vacation (maybe when we’re, oh… forty?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve already decided that a portion of that
last gulp of freedom next spring will be spent on one last <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from being
utterly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thrilled</i> at the prospect of <a href="http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=272886110/a=124953759_124953759/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/" target="_blank">traveling internationally again</a> (and outside of the Caribbean), I also have yet
another substantial foothold in our future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we move closer to April 2014 and I can begin making reservations,
those footholds solidify and another part of our future unfolds.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
final flight home is already booked for December 18<sup>th</sup> of this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In time for not only Christmas, we
will arrive two days before Ivan’s thirtieth birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As luck would have it, his birthday lands on
a Friday and, as he will have just finished his first two years of medical
school, I think a little soiree might be in the works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finishing basic sciences is a pretty big
deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turning thirty is also a pretty
big deal (or at least I’m going to pretend it is).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’ve got a little more tangible future to
plan.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>From the
most difficult preparations (should we rent an apartment we haven’t even
visited?) to the most trivial plans (should the party be mustache-themed?),
thinking ahead gives me motivation and propels me forward so that I’m doing
more than just going through the everyday motions.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then
there is the short term productivity—in other words, what have we been doing
since Vicki and Larry left.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HYIQsCQPEY5HvkGaqH6F3LIT53A91aCvUCSTAKGZsg4eutw-dcJhULnTY49luOuo-08thOzMHWRaa9JN2xaVnyS4iLp-W1-O_jzl_OK84WRSoOhk9IwrLd8wVhPRlTRPEihIBPBQ5C8/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HYIQsCQPEY5HvkGaqH6F3LIT53A91aCvUCSTAKGZsg4eutw-dcJhULnTY49luOuo-08thOzMHWRaa9JN2xaVnyS4iLp-W1-O_jzl_OK84WRSoOhk9IwrLd8wVhPRlTRPEihIBPBQ5C8/s200/IMG_2787.JPG" width="133" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Third
term ended and we celebrated by lounging in the lap pool at a friend’s
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can say with certainty that it
was the first time I have been in an outdoor pool in February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And surrounded by palm trees nonetheless!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ivan and
I joined one of SGU’s intramural kickball teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan played for Kickaholics Anonymous last
term as well, but this term was a first for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a perfect opportunity to showcase my phenomenal lack of coordination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And phenomenal it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a couple games, I decided my skills
were better applied to scorekeeping and subbing any missing players’ positions.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
Sunday, Ivan and I were guests for a free dinner at the University Club as part
of Ivan’s induction into the honors society, Iota Epsilon Alpha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now have a pretty certificate and a momentous
amount of respect for the chefs at the University Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That beef wellington was out of this world!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtR4Qed9XD0SoSdyW4Mx-02_-h7FfmG2fxKhh-OTRp03MJoFSxfLKOdx1Z3QOoWnEvFlXV9FElJqjU8NgHlgZ34ppBW92A6iXECzVcJ40ilDNiaj5S_0TSRSlAXpESkptVLSHRqQcy_tA/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtR4Qed9XD0SoSdyW4Mx-02_-h7FfmG2fxKhh-OTRp03MJoFSxfLKOdx1Z3QOoWnEvFlXV9FElJqjU8NgHlgZ34ppBW92A6iXECzVcJ40ilDNiaj5S_0TSRSlAXpESkptVLSHRqQcy_tA/s320/IMG_2826.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Again, I
am so happy we live on campus where pets are not allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m afraid I would never make it off the
island without one of the many strays I’m constantly driven to feed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last term, there was a cat that lived on
campus (one of many strays at SGU) and had a litter of kittens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike many other strays, this cat was
outgoing and friendly with the students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her kittens were playful and, naturally, adorable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While she was pregnant and nursing, the
students fed her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then, once the
kittens were gone, no one seemed to want to feed her anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I began to notice her more and more
this term, and it became obvious that she was getting thinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I am who I am, I bought some cans of
cat food and began carrying them with me so I could feed her any time she
showed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently that was an open
invitation for her to stalk me, find out where I live and wait outside my door
for me to feed her in the mornings and evenings.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We have
named her Caleeco (kah-LEE-ko), a play on her coloration: calico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The notch in her ear may indicate that she
was spayed by the SGU vet students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hope that’s the case because I’d really like to find Caleeco a home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tuRdiSqFPTDshUvv_0HAIe8JuD7v-u0GrfZBqmTbuV4E5Uxb7aQ9THJB8G9kMW1BU54VchTQM3_W77n-H09tOtV-6q95Rze2jmhY3Wbh9nzB8fXB3TEVdAFP4uyBA91W3HTIRSuJ2ko/s1600/IMG_0284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tuRdiSqFPTDshUvv_0HAIe8JuD7v-u0GrfZBqmTbuV4E5Uxb7aQ9THJB8G9kMW1BU54VchTQM3_W77n-H09tOtV-6q95Rze2jmhY3Wbh9nzB8fXB3TEVdAFP4uyBA91W3HTIRSuJ2ko/s320/IMG_0284.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Photography Club had its first excursion of the term to Mt. Carmel falls at the
beginning of the month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I took
the opportunity to get a little island exploration in before getting too
heavily into the dreaded fourth term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With ten other club members (and a few invited guests), we made the trip
up to the parish of St. Andrew and hiked along a worn trail to the waterfalls.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Earlier in
the week, the SO organization made the very same trip and a few of those SOs
were in our company that Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Acting as tour guides, they led us along the path and gave us some
extremely invaluable information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, when we came across a wooden pallet-turned-bridge, they advised we
cross one at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering the
give in the springy boards, I’d consider the advice well-placed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvxjbj93zg1-rgKssme_WBoqPCS9oCKhlpNRQ-uASIxhAWFzygHTgPx6rwKgcQTNZMJVL04uem6wGHM6S21cUk6wbAJ1B8kujb805O7ir3qV_-GHNOA_ldgLRMHsHc8htYTUdCL9wjUM/s1600/Mt.+Carmel-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvxjbj93zg1-rgKssme_WBoqPCS9oCKhlpNRQ-uASIxhAWFzygHTgPx6rwKgcQTNZMJVL04uem6wGHM6S21cUk6wbAJ1B8kujb805O7ir3qV_-GHNOA_ldgLRMHsHc8htYTUdCL9wjUM/s320/Mt.+Carmel-14.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCdgUPVBV7xnrtd2ueQodsR0jCSyAx6R4cgKn0_BvO3NT1801L8c7dfVcTroALPhNzyLSvVwG2-JPd1otaH3pHM9QRhG4XzSadK0LIuTrLNauLbRMwwp0wMTpkCfxpx2LXBywK9oc864/s1600/Mt.+Carmel-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCdgUPVBV7xnrtd2ueQodsR0jCSyAx6R4cgKn0_BvO3NT1801L8c7dfVcTroALPhNzyLSvVwG2-JPd1otaH3pHM9QRhG4XzSadK0LIuTrLNauLbRMwwp0wMTpkCfxpx2LXBywK9oc864/s320/Mt.+Carmel-20.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gmV0G11kophPnHuscDuNmru5n7PiVaK3st9ntuIuvu7B0c1VWw2YakgtXnjD3IrGggpfp3Wd6ngQ211AHMKPHDA7F4_VB1I2HCA0z0LITX9wZmuWqW2GD5M2klxsOxXeaW2OVnuA0mU/s1600/Mt.+Carmel-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gmV0G11kophPnHuscDuNmru5n7PiVaK3st9ntuIuvu7B0c1VWw2YakgtXnjD3IrGggpfp3Wd6ngQ211AHMKPHDA7F4_VB1I2HCA0z0LITX9wZmuWqW2GD5M2klxsOxXeaW2OVnuA0mU/s200/Mt.+Carmel-45.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Before
reaching the falls, I heard a rustle in the leaves next to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assuming it was just a lizard, I glanced over
my shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was completely shocked to
see a snake gliding away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the
first snake I’ve ever seen on the island!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Because of a superstition, locals generally kill any snake they come
across.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a solid dark grey and
about two feet long. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was completely
taken by surprise; otherwise I would have tried to catch it for some
photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, that might have been
the first and last snake I’ll ever see in Grenada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the thought occurred to me, though, it
had slipped into a heap of banana leaves and out of my reach.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
first waterfall we stopped at was a few stories high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We neatly crossed the rocks that made a
walkway through the creek and took photos at the base of the falls where a mist
of water thrown into the air created a sort of pre-dawn haze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and David were the adventurous ones, of
course, and ventured beneath the falls before following the rest of the group
downstream to the smaller falls.</div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
natural slides at Mt. Carmel contribute immensely to the popularity of the
falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the stream, the
riverbed drops in a smooth slope into a deep pool and it is easily accessible
for swimming and sliding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent a
little while at the pool while a few of our group slid and swam and the rest of
us mingled around the edges of the water, taking pictures of the undergrowth,
the rock formations, the waterfalls and the artifacts of human presence marked by,
of all things, discarded pants.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSdiIPbO34R-0-sLsaUja1C-CPjKdHSONZk9YdxC_JKzzTw2JzEyFhOeAtopN-DLRe9OH_3bOei93nJy0KOOyCIhketFkekjtxzbgns_CCgDdOnM4RGAl-Gj9S-z_fO-96kZb6mmY17o/s1600/Mt.+Carmel-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSdiIPbO34R-0-sLsaUja1C-CPjKdHSONZk9YdxC_JKzzTw2JzEyFhOeAtopN-DLRe9OH_3bOei93nJy0KOOyCIhketFkekjtxzbgns_CCgDdOnM4RGAl-Gj9S-z_fO-96kZb6mmY17o/s320/Mt.+Carmel-51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ivan is
already being taxed heavily by fourth term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without his availability, I’ve moved on to my own devices and am back in
the swing of things with painting, knitting, writing, photography, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m leading the book club this term and am
still volunteering with the orphans on Mondays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67899999999997411.6199695 -62.324446999999971 12.6130305 -61.033552999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-30725863747815412052013-03-05T16:52:00.002-04:002013-03-05T16:52:48.177-04:00Visitors in the Caribbean: Part III<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In my last
post, I discussed our island tour with Vicki and Larry—definitely a highlight
of their visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite my best efforts
to get right back to the blog and finish up these posts about our guests, I’m
afraid I was waylaid by unexpected responsibilities and am only just now
attempting to wrap this up.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Division Three</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Following
our exhausting—albeit thoroughly enjoyable—island tour on Monday, we relaxed on
Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan had a much-needed opportunity
to catch up on some of his schoolwork and I was able to wrap up a few loose
ends with my duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Early that evening,
we met with Vicki and Larry again for another outing.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A few
days prior, I’d contacted a water tour company by the name of <a href="http://www.catamaranchartering.com/" target="_blank">First Impressions</a>
to book a sunset cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boat ride
was two hours long, casting off at 4:30, placing the catamaran at its furthest
point from the harbor, along the gentle southern curve of the island, just as
the sun set, before returning to Port Louis.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLpBgbM6p_aJ4r93i_mBBrqk4mV-XUSL7mqG7zQypQiFzTyVI6byscMqdpWhriC_vqNLH-zRWA53e0s_C40ZoQZGsEDslvFPtSb4MsBq-ZO5tDV2UM8to9riOJHX2hvgw32v1iSBpJj8/s1600/Family+Visit-113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLpBgbM6p_aJ4r93i_mBBrqk4mV-XUSL7mqG7zQypQiFzTyVI6byscMqdpWhriC_vqNLH-zRWA53e0s_C40ZoQZGsEDslvFPtSb4MsBq-ZO5tDV2UM8to9riOJHX2hvgw32v1iSBpJj8/s200/Family+Visit-113.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First
Impressions sent a bus to collect us, along with six other passengers, from the
resort and brought us to Port Louis where the Starwind V was awaiting our
arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The catamaran was crewed by
three Grenadian men who made an effort to provide the ten passengers with a
great experience, from beginning to end.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe4ciJ-csX_Qf_f5a0BHe5e7SzMP9iG9IEQwfYulkyPAh9Ku035xNAQY86qazQo3_lk8iX9miqTbn-5d18xIxQYFFzxMgS17H_Beb0dH-imz0kJoepA4AcCXI1OKeGZtvxBTBJJe_Eek/s1600/Family+Visit-132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe4ciJ-csX_Qf_f5a0BHe5e7SzMP9iG9IEQwfYulkyPAh9Ku035xNAQY86qazQo3_lk8iX9miqTbn-5d18xIxQYFFzxMgS17H_Beb0dH-imz0kJoepA4AcCXI1OKeGZtvxBTBJJe_Eek/s320/Family+Visit-132.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we
motored slowly out of the harbor, we were given a description of the catamaran,
complete with measurements, capacity and uses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The front of the catamaran (bow) had two trampoline nets (according to
the boat’s description) which were basically a thick, flexible nylon mesh
stretched over the water and attached to the boat with bungee cords.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I heard that we were allowed on
the nets, I kicked off my shoes and climbed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ivan joined me and Vicki and Larry shared the other net.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remaining passengers milled around the
bench areas, so we had the entire bow (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nautical</i>!)
to ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crew deftly crossed
the narrow and uneven walkways beside the nets to collect our drink orders (all
inclusive!) and quickly retrieved them from the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sails were hoisted and the same soothing
breeze that cooled us that evening filled the Starwind V’s sails and urged us
forward in a metronomic progression. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtFGWvDoQYqCsX-H0gfzrhrmr79wpWnEem0bdkSBzM4_wvfZp8MTagwn5dVDDVuDlxm-mR81riuU7saK7iJ7eOjpsQpYi_Kp33-8vGQYp6ViWTtrkSJm7xv55oIT2BADImtBIxtI8WIs/s1600/Family+Visit-111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtFGWvDoQYqCsX-H0gfzrhrmr79wpWnEem0bdkSBzM4_wvfZp8MTagwn5dVDDVuDlxm-mR81riuU7saK7iJ7eOjpsQpYi_Kp33-8vGQYp6ViWTtrkSJm7xv55oIT2BADImtBIxtI8WIs/s400/Family+Visit-111.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9VwNjbmpcOARly3z42RwqTFZG7PHJS5lh3e2ItFk9INzegpaXxI-bufLVCoFeqPYXnDVV61jBFnm2es_CS26PE8R8eas6h1-p-8OGzl7Nb0fEcMvqekWrwQ9ES7ZZmHRtw5m8Lz45qM/s1600/Family+Visit-134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9VwNjbmpcOARly3z42RwqTFZG7PHJS5lh3e2ItFk9INzegpaXxI-bufLVCoFeqPYXnDVV61jBFnm2es_CS26PE8R8eas6h1-p-8OGzl7Nb0fEcMvqekWrwQ9ES7ZZmHRtw5m8Lz45qM/s320/Family+Visit-134.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In no
time, the finer details of the coast were merging blurrily with the rise and
fall of the velvety green hills and the mountains rose behind like shadows and
echoes beneath the swollen grey clouds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sailed southwest, surrounded by a sea
rendered black and white by the sun’s reflective glare and the methodic
slapping of the boat against the waves.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOx-dVhUnr71-JgHFvAL6q_DGhuOeohRJSE_AmJJtElQ192e-ML-VceSVzqhV_gBHLW6AlAgRp2iy7RajHIN_0vNVdqHlnQoW8wvz-K_8TvEMiaImfKnZAyxchvaKJiw9Sm4-z1HLCLs/s1600/Family+Visit-146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOx-dVhUnr71-JgHFvAL6q_DGhuOeohRJSE_AmJJtElQ192e-ML-VceSVzqhV_gBHLW6AlAgRp2iy7RajHIN_0vNVdqHlnQoW8wvz-K_8TvEMiaImfKnZAyxchvaKJiw9Sm4-z1HLCLs/s320/Family+Visit-146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here is
an obscure peculiarity of mine: I have an irrational and unexplainable fear of
boats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know why or when the fear
originated (hence the unexplainable aspect), but have been anxious and
uncomfortable around boats for as long as I can remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, my first memory of being on a boat
consists of a conversation I had with my grandparents—or, more accurately, a litany
of concerned questions that went something like, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Are we going to die?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we
going to drown?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then, I’ve
been able to pare down my phobia and remove the generalization of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all boats</i> and classified it instead as a
fear of boats with enclosed spaces (such as: any room with a door that can
close and trap you inside when the boat sinks and then you drown in a tiny room
even though you’re a really good swimmer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well that was a parenthetical mouthful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My point is, even without a claustrophobic room on the catamaran, I was
impressed with my willingness to plan and subsequently enjoy the trip!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I think spending the ride in the net
made a difference since that was the only part of the boat without a smothering
ceiling.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Regardless
of fears overcome or otherwise, I had an absolute blast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The movement of the boat, cautiously
described as nauseating by others, was mesmerizingly relaxing to me, its
perpetual cadence rocking us hypnotically as the sun dipped towards the horizon
and the world adopted a warm golden hue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The southwestern lip of the island darkened to an inky silhouette, crisp
and perfect before the waning light, and twilight crept behind us, like cupped
hands enfolding day into its shadowy creases.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnYgSCGRnnWv7DsRtJF_03Vz_hdmgxAAWKawpoCoBRAcLs-SIZP7OdHnt3TNQJK05ud93MgXCM5jcUZuGWRlHonl_ZPVSXlIr0dQ26mO3ETqHb_3e71L2_CgT6L3C350ubxVmfVgqHV4/s1600/Family+Visit-149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnYgSCGRnnWv7DsRtJF_03Vz_hdmgxAAWKawpoCoBRAcLs-SIZP7OdHnt3TNQJK05ud93MgXCM5jcUZuGWRlHonl_ZPVSXlIr0dQ26mO3ETqHb_3e71L2_CgT6L3C350ubxVmfVgqHV4/s320/Family+Visit-149.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeskmio95dh84W_Y2L-xA5jQ-H1TqxP8XlQeH3RMvc5JrdwlkY6MIuHINL1aEqby0skuY_ReMpqW9tNPHrldGa0PmUBsi7L1zmoatFYgbM0fl_figjTDJbYUtK-LgBS00rifCrZzI5CiE/s1600/Family+Visit-162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeskmio95dh84W_Y2L-xA5jQ-H1TqxP8XlQeH3RMvc5JrdwlkY6MIuHINL1aEqby0skuY_ReMpqW9tNPHrldGa0PmUBsi7L1zmoatFYgbM0fl_figjTDJbYUtK-LgBS00rifCrZzI5CiE/s320/Family+Visit-162.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWytDNTZiXVWfLWMLgrlnncgihw2k87jUH9_fNMhMFL_hfA7YMAvuSFclaNA4AOMae6BGuHa0qwCkDisYok0QWyYu6Bs817UrDEuCj9_XMl3h7d_NQvNTpQr4dNTipoR-O4iStEAayW0/s1600/Family+Visit-165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWytDNTZiXVWfLWMLgrlnncgihw2k87jUH9_fNMhMFL_hfA7YMAvuSFclaNA4AOMae6BGuHa0qwCkDisYok0QWyYu6Bs817UrDEuCj9_XMl3h7d_NQvNTpQr4dNTipoR-O4iStEAayW0/s320/Family+Visit-165.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
sunset, we each had a glass of champagne; then the catamaran turned back to the
shore and we headed into the harbor as evening lights blinked to life across
the dusky island.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
evening before Vicki and Larry left, we had dinner at one of Grenada’s nicer
restaurants: <a href="http://www.beachhousegrenada.com/" target="_blank">The Beach House</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
considered it a dual occasion—our last meal out with Ivan’s parents and also a
classy Valentine’s Day dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I
should hesitate to use the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">classy</i>
too freely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered the Cornish hen—something
I’ve never had before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I knew
I’d be getting a whole bird, but hadn’t considered the precision necessary to
eat a quarter-pound Cornish hen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
first I tried using my cutlery, thus demonstrating my attempt at being
marginally refined, but I just felt like I was sawing a rotisseried Guinea
pig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that analogy just demonstrates
how momentously unrefined I truly am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Forgoing manners for effectiveness, I opted for a hands-on approach and gnawed
apart my midget chicken like I would a basket of greasy buffalo wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also think I swallowed a few ribs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end, my fancy linen napkin got a lot
of use and dinner was spectacular!</div>
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Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67899999999997411.6199695 -62.324446999999971 12.6130305 -61.033552999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-87624427664476020772013-02-20T15:10:00.000-04:002013-02-20T15:10:21.924-04:00Visitors in the Caribbean: Part II<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In my
last post, I covered our experiences at Fish Friday in Gouyave, wherein Ivan,
his parents and I survived the harrowing bus ride and mediocre fried seafood
and even managed to peel away from the event a number of unique (if not always
positive) experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t say that
I intend to go to Fish Friday again, but since it was on my Grenada Bucket
List, as it were, I’m happy we went.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Following
our disappointing first lobster experience on the island, we took a friend’s
advice and tried again that weekend at the restaurant, <a href="http://debigfish.com/" target="_blank">De Big Fish</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, Ivan and Larry both ordered the
lobster Thermidor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full disclosure here:
I’ve only had lobster a handful of times in my life, but if I never eat another
lobster again, at least I will have nothing to compare to the best seafood I’ve
ever eaten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you need a reason to fly
to Grenada, here it is: lobster Thermidor at De Big Fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forget the beaches, the spices, the
chocolate, the monkeys, the mangoes; just come to this island and absolutely
ruin your appreciation for every inferior seafood you’ve ever eaten with a
single bite of intoxicatingly rich and tender lobster.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
keeping with my previous post’s organization:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Division Two</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After a
couple days of seaside relaxation and a free brunch at the school, we were
ready for our full-day island tour on Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Originally when I had called the taxi driver, I only requested that we
be taken to Belmont Estate (the cocoa plantation) and Rivers Antoine Rum
Distillery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got in the taxi,
though, it was immediately apparent that Leslie (our driver) intended to take
us to various landmarks and attractions outside of my specific request.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-pUGo-DoKm_wgxzecHP8W-EQFG_y9E_es2hf2DApKAxbQxo5c4-p99HjvSaZ9yqhATwJE30nRHX5zPvGiifEDlt-WhJeJjGokXuhT1m5cyxdQYQanLEgMVg7rnb7P5M0UShZAk0WhyE/s1600/Family+Visit-70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-pUGo-DoKm_wgxzecHP8W-EQFG_y9E_es2hf2DApKAxbQxo5c4-p99HjvSaZ9yqhATwJE30nRHX5zPvGiifEDlt-WhJeJjGokXuhT1m5cyxdQYQanLEgMVg7rnb7P5M0UShZAk0WhyE/s320/Family+Visit-70.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lztWgdEL64iHdZohmsg08A0wgus-MOIzY1Y03lhL6aYOh26Ahg9HYi02b_dYAvDwkJydrQOeIk2O_aixzfAPeiOAJbWGp_DofY-FvhZbKC8a9j4G5n6ZfpKinlUFP3AeKXmKKlFGOCk/s1600/Family+Visit-64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lztWgdEL64iHdZohmsg08A0wgus-MOIzY1Y03lhL6aYOh26Ahg9HYi02b_dYAvDwkJydrQOeIk2O_aixzfAPeiOAJbWGp_DofY-FvhZbKC8a9j4G5n6ZfpKinlUFP3AeKXmKKlFGOCk/s320/Family+Visit-64.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
started off by visiting the <a href="http://www.clarkescourtrum.com/home.html" target="_blank">Grenada Distillers</a>, makers of a variety of rum
drinks, including at least three rum punches, coconut rum, mojito rum, special
dark, superior light, the award-winning Old Grog and a very limited quantity of
double-matured #37 aged rum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
each given hard hats for the half-hour tour which mostly seemed to cover the
history of Grenada Distillers, with a detailed description of the jobs the
now-defunct machinery once performed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With so many rum distilleries on the island
and a lack of sufficient farmland, all but one of Grenada’s distilleries import
molasses from Guyana for their rum production, rendering most of the
distilleries’ machinery obsolete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obsolete
but not useless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The occasionally rusty,
occasionally oily knobs and wheels and barrels and chains were an integral part
of the distillery for many years and a keystone of the tour itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without the massive black gears and corroded
furnace echoing a not-so-distant past of churning metal and bellowing industry,
the Grenada Distillers would lose a certain amount of nostalgic charm and lure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it was, I appreciated the gritty
foundations and brief history lesson.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We ended
the tour in their storefront and bar where we were able to test a variety of
their products (though, not, disappointingly, the #37 of which only 1,000
bottles were made).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoyDt2PAR6-CL88tmV2GVUZdrkbXWv0XAH2P_XKnDjNaxXm6RpI0Vjva0lomEwm_2khghYkqe2QhEADna89lE8YLUNDpTkhTNchaHt2ZB1y9x5FqzBs1_Xgvh9ceg1vK0aKA2SIzi4cw/s1600/Family+Visit-68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoyDt2PAR6-CL88tmV2GVUZdrkbXWv0XAH2P_XKnDjNaxXm6RpI0Vjva0lomEwm_2khghYkqe2QhEADna89lE8YLUNDpTkhTNchaHt2ZB1y9x5FqzBs1_Xgvh9ceg1vK0aKA2SIzi4cw/s400/Family+Visit-68.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34na11WHO8rufRL3MgOHUrLtA0ZIZoT4Q_qLivS-8ALu0MjPqNsVXxEQ9B_FmD3uMt6fVmyTJIhFoYBW2oGdjiROrkFKSZQXQbNIrEXMrLv3ZalIm4bOMJKld3P_niZiMutH0APYfUs8/s1600/Family+Visit-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34na11WHO8rufRL3MgOHUrLtA0ZIZoT4Q_qLivS-8ALu0MjPqNsVXxEQ9B_FmD3uMt6fVmyTJIhFoYBW2oGdjiROrkFKSZQXQbNIrEXMrLv3ZalIm4bOMJKld3P_niZiMutH0APYfUs8/s320/Family+Visit-53.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWaz3js_KkpvvxmlSkPI23jJxmp4KqEQIeu56ClCxuUs9ABik6cRzQctnq8z1NPhqhW8bv8Qgp104TooOLAg0o16faQ63iTZyQXDAIeLnM-XnbI1fsVMCaN4lgoVUnrjQbbVM7ifiH9U/s1600/Family+Visit-67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWaz3js_KkpvvxmlSkPI23jJxmp4KqEQIeu56ClCxuUs9ABik6cRzQctnq8z1NPhqhW8bv8Qgp104TooOLAg0o16faQ63iTZyQXDAIeLnM-XnbI1fsVMCaN4lgoVUnrjQbbVM7ifiH9U/s200/Family+Visit-67.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZxIleHb_SnmKmgmlbL5MEwOBBl7ao8bOCO3RCo0yJNT5yAg8pB634QtS1Y8x54fS7n0V96vp9PKyEieMlzJNuIpln08rCHwavZIP4urpvD4xyZ5U4BeKoMRCCSiaslqnV0xbczTgBp4/s1600/Family+Visit-81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZxIleHb_SnmKmgmlbL5MEwOBBl7ao8bOCO3RCo0yJNT5yAg8pB634QtS1Y8x54fS7n0V96vp9PKyEieMlzJNuIpln08rCHwavZIP4urpvD4xyZ5U4BeKoMRCCSiaslqnV0xbczTgBp4/s320/Family+Visit-81.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
second stop (other than a few brief rests for photo ops) was at the Grand Etang
rainforest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My intentions were to spend
some time feeding the Mona monkeys that assemble there so that Ivan’s parents
could see them up close and personal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately the monkeys appeared to be sated or otherwise uninterested
as a couple of bananas sat untouched on their usual resting spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t the only tourists to come at that
time and, as luck would have it, there was a local nearby who referred to
himself as the “Monkey Man” and ensured us that he would draw the shy monkeys
out of the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using the bananas I’d
brought as bait, the Monkey Man began pacing up and down the road, whistling
and barking into the woods, “Om!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Om!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Om!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He led us up and down the tree line, tromping
through mud, promising to deliver in between whistles and “Oms!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally Larry spotted two monkeys overhead,
seated nonchalantly on bowing stalks of bamboo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took some coercion (and a fair amount of stern “Oms!”) to bring them
down, but the adolescent monkeys descended for the bananas and we were all able
to snap some pictures before they scrambled off again.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNjgM6ITCdz1EGm6kNEiiJRwuY75cwdw9C6rLABaBolQvgA3wrxgE77_tRMwDpw-blCrYTmS2uZHBFBBr3JPe0t4AF9sRftuwZvGgNtlMIgK4MBMcbW5vgB02LsCcUH9w0wf65AZTU7w/s1600/Family+Visit-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNjgM6ITCdz1EGm6kNEiiJRwuY75cwdw9C6rLABaBolQvgA3wrxgE77_tRMwDpw-blCrYTmS2uZHBFBBr3JPe0t4AF9sRftuwZvGgNtlMIgK4MBMcbW5vgB02LsCcUH9w0wf65AZTU7w/s320/Family+Visit-78.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Monkey Man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsH09TsRo5SQ2Yqaf__Rqsdm-MdPLX2YgNhDwoAKzsMhIISpAQLcKy1UECT0rI5-poJWwls6oxUTKHwqhzIlfSHSQYGd30Jtp7iEOrux5awU5luOnxh6lNeg0OrYb497yZY90vRy7e18/s1600/Family+Visit-79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsH09TsRo5SQ2Yqaf__Rqsdm-MdPLX2YgNhDwoAKzsMhIISpAQLcKy1UECT0rI5-poJWwls6oxUTKHwqhzIlfSHSQYGd30Jtp7iEOrux5awU5luOnxh6lNeg0OrYb497yZY90vRy7e18/s320/Family+Visit-79.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
the monkeys, we stopped briefly for a visit at Grand Etang Lake, a volcanic
lake that, according to Leslie, has no bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More specifically, he stated that no one had ever been able to measure
the depth of the lake and so it is considered, by locals, to be
bottomless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turns out, the lake is
somewhere between four and six meters deep, though I think the bottomless
legend is the type of local superstition tourists gobble up.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNqE2mvg0JuIhNysD1uQNI1cyTr-kd-4_FzDUWIwx8VuJ5FEjWi3NKdd9RoBtozrNV7m5ykGNhBBcEJiMdxw166wG1hFeKoL4CXfqLrR4SoufaAUW7N-mpFOo4fRFkb-n09sBu7MOJ4o/s1600/Family+Visit-85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNqE2mvg0JuIhNysD1uQNI1cyTr-kd-4_FzDUWIwx8VuJ5FEjWi3NKdd9RoBtozrNV7m5ykGNhBBcEJiMdxw166wG1hFeKoL4CXfqLrR4SoufaAUW7N-mpFOo4fRFkb-n09sBu7MOJ4o/s200/Family+Visit-85.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Following
our visit to the lake, we took a tour at Belmont Estate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was my fourth, Ivan’s second and Vicki
and Larry’s first visit to the cocoa plantation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As usual, it was an informative and, at the
end, decadently rewarding tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
bought chocolate bars and truffles as souvenirs (and may I highly recommend the
Scotch Bonnet truffles?) before moving on to our next destination.</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqbu7nM5JRFjyHUmhYl94xppCHFqYFEyrWe3bGW07r67twdSBpSMUwBZS099A9_CgnvVcTJy1CacDDc4LJmU3ee-KyNQl6HoOXwrjDocluFNsdUcMTuNUhsfjzXfGedCnhXr-J4OXgo0/s1600/Family+Visit-93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqbu7nM5JRFjyHUmhYl94xppCHFqYFEyrWe3bGW07r67twdSBpSMUwBZS099A9_CgnvVcTJy1CacDDc4LJmU3ee-KyNQl6HoOXwrjDocluFNsdUcMTuNUhsfjzXfGedCnhXr-J4OXgo0/s320/Family+Visit-93.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9zPofqdWPxA09khl9CwqgtfRHkX_4nDhgGl0m_yOx2JJAt7WdkfGbAmrL-ccpuViryMT7jADS294sy3hIz4Ci17NvndYWkhQrEFbhXtG4DXORAd-FoUY6uesKwHosvCL-kB9xq2OC-U/s1600/Family+Visit-87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9zPofqdWPxA09khl9CwqgtfRHkX_4nDhgGl0m_yOx2JJAt7WdkfGbAmrL-ccpuViryMT7jADS294sy3hIz4Ci17NvndYWkhQrEFbhXtG4DXORAd-FoUY6uesKwHosvCL-kB9xq2OC-U/s200/Family+Visit-87.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3KpAJGozY346QV4jvbjuioUzsulkChz67qKHfpyrCl4fzQk6C-qbsfFNZzJJ9MhTAHYi3tBuEBgGyyyft02fBHJBBa0Yarxe8dDqRt2bKkiE7KjT0TjYNg7RB70Sch_gaD4_57EqOJw/s1600/Family+Visit-95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc3KpAJGozY346QV4jvbjuioUzsulkChz67qKHfpyrCl4fzQk6C-qbsfFNZzJJ9MhTAHYi3tBuEBgGyyyft02fBHJBBa0Yarxe8dDqRt2bKkiE7KjT0TjYNg7RB70Sch_gaD4_57EqOJw/s200/Family+Visit-95.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Continuing
north, our next stop was Levera beach, a postcard landscape of frothy sapphire
waves, sun-bleached driftwood, tree covered cliffs and islands dotting the
horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Levera beach is also one of the
few nesting spots for the critically endangered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leatherback_turtle" target="_blank">leatherback sea turtles </a>and is
therefore a popular destination for students and tourists around April and May,
during the nesting time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAstIhndqgSG6q4gKYpaYXLPdzhWhkiSH59nkbLuyCzN5LqIsMT8z1BzhXNnRBuCdt5gnIF8tFcbmH6WevQcqJ6pL4QKs-bF7WKNGk3gU3ZAZtpIBJkxongpHnwQS4fb_iGzRW8KyFls/s1600/Family+Visit-101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQAstIhndqgSG6q4gKYpaYXLPdzhWhkiSH59nkbLuyCzN5LqIsMT8z1BzhXNnRBuCdt5gnIF8tFcbmH6WevQcqJ6pL4QKs-bF7WKNGk3gU3ZAZtpIBJkxongpHnwQS4fb_iGzRW8KyFls/s400/Family+Visit-101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At the
tip of the island, in a town called Sauteurs, we paid homage to the indigenous
peoples of Grenada—the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carib_people" target="_blank">Caribs</a>—at a solemn landmark known as Leapers Hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The monument, set resolutely in an overgrown
cemetery, marks the somber setting of the Caribs’ last stand against the
invading French.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faced with certain
defeat, the Caribs’ last act was to throw themselves off the cliff, preferring
death over surrender.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwao3PdtPKYg2vwbKbOKwPP-qCi_aQthJqCIn5vIlNpp4XAmqOVYqKoMGDPKjKX0xK5_KvKTetk_6xWz_e41Bqp7xxQiWPPqi5lhjTl7Ojyn7AekifD1nsVmxG5w_Mp3h71w9bTR3QlI/s1600/Family+Visit-109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwao3PdtPKYg2vwbKbOKwPP-qCi_aQthJqCIn5vIlNpp4XAmqOVYqKoMGDPKjKX0xK5_KvKTetk_6xWz_e41Bqp7xxQiWPPqi5lhjTl7Ojyn7AekifD1nsVmxG5w_Mp3h71w9bTR3QlI/s320/Family+Visit-109.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHyKO__vtsUsqOSJMbZt7xdIjbL_PmXUWMBq3qPw2asQhHsDF3WM5w22aRQvQw1AqML7KGtYnPqPa9yBT-LWlajFPjrq8bIXhyphenhyphenxdqNuWhRUcHtr9QI9RCshy9tXjnXzwpog5p2n3W7O8/s1600/Family+Visit-106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHyKO__vtsUsqOSJMbZt7xdIjbL_PmXUWMBq3qPw2asQhHsDF3WM5w22aRQvQw1AqML7KGtYnPqPa9yBT-LWlajFPjrq8bIXhyphenhyphenxdqNuWhRUcHtr9QI9RCshy9tXjnXzwpog5p2n3W7O8/s320/Family+Visit-106.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On that
grave note, we left the cemetery to continue our trip back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our way out of Sauteurs, our driver
pointed out this establishment and that where he knew or was related to the
folks within.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we waited at an
intersection, one smiling local woman—apparently familiar with Leslie—waved at the
taxi enthusiastically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leslie waved
back, but she scolded him teasingly, “I’m not waving at you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re black!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m waving to the white people!” at which point she shook her open palm
at us, “Hello white people!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We laughed and waved back
and I was happy for the interaction, a smiling exit to the history-laden
Sauteurs.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We skirted the west
coast on our way back down the island, cutting through Gouyave and stopping
shortly in St. George to pick up a couple souvenirs at the spice market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally we were back in Grand Anse, enjoying
a rich Italian meal at La Boulangerie near the beach.</span>Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67899999999997411.6199695 -62.324446999999971 12.6130305 -61.033552999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-49753074406775759282013-02-17T14:03:00.000-04:002013-02-17T14:03:46.552-04:00Visitors in the Caribbean: Part I<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I
reported in my previous post, Ivan’s parents had their vacation right here in
Grenada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their flight arrived on the
evening of February 5<sup>th</sup> and their stay extended right up until the
morning of Valentine’s Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since their
departure, we’ve received notice of their safe arrival back home and belated
Valentine’s Day dinner at The Cheesecake Factory (of which I am seething with
jealousy).</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you’re
anything of an avid reader—or as I presume, more accurately, a skimmer—of mine,
you know that I am hopelessly incapable of abridging any of my mundane
experiences, let alone happenings that I consider exciting, captivating or, at
the very least, noteworthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Submitting
to my wont to drone on and on at the expense of my waning enthusiasts, I’ve
decided to just go ahead and divide our recent adventures into more than one
blog post.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
Division One</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Vicki
and Larry stayed at the <a href="http://www.flamboyant.com/" target="_blank">Flamboyant</a>, a resort that caps the western point of
Grand Anse beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The location was
ideal, providing immediate access to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches
and just a short walk from restaurants, the Spiceland Mall and the SGU Grand Anse
bus stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From their balcony, Vicki and
Larry had a (somewhat) uninterrupted view of the turquoise Caribbean waters
cradled by the mountainous green island and the constant flow of tourist-laden
cruise ships porting in St. George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During the day, the orange-roofed buildings around the Carenage harbor
were as visible as the blinking lights of returning yachts in the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were it not for the series of thick, black
electric cables running just above the balcony, the view would have been
perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOim8NkDpKFp9YyrMjDQR9kyISc4C6dG3MF1kOJLZgYQyR3WsEDDC8ejbO1IhmWtap6WR8C4MBurV2fe_mEnpdewj7uFC9UBYODlla63Eq3u6nb50n_vdNhjcdeTaL_1MlutOsqWQGgVE/s1600/Family+Visit-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOim8NkDpKFp9YyrMjDQR9kyISc4C6dG3MF1kOJLZgYQyR3WsEDDC8ejbO1IhmWtap6WR8C4MBurV2fe_mEnpdewj7uFC9UBYODlla63Eq3u6nb50n_vdNhjcdeTaL_1MlutOsqWQGgVE/s320/Family+Visit-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vicki and Larry during our campus tour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4DfV46Mtc6OnXoVyI_X5Gj7rG5PURQp01YEFvJ3Cr5CydBU78XMbae4aqy12YVj1iigxPZpOSAqvIlpofBhlHlixvVajeW0EHy2sdbVzRxG4Urkx84gdvgNWzguV6alfyBH9YBTv7GQ/s1600/Family+Visit-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4DfV46Mtc6OnXoVyI_X5Gj7rG5PURQp01YEFvJ3Cr5CydBU78XMbae4aqy12YVj1iigxPZpOSAqvIlpofBhlHlixvVajeW0EHy2sdbVzRxG4Urkx84gdvgNWzguV6alfyBH9YBTv7GQ/s320/Family+Visit-42.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA9odSbPtUP4KfeE_AA0K1HNLReVMpYX0wgmpXTnoZ5E7iIUiCklmFbxsYHQSGIjhgGEbx6A78atgA5DpnrPpVljYSlQEIrLSpyv9FLzI0nfQDdtrvMfxdaL6H9ECT9snIfBR3ehjTMs/s1600/Family+Visit-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA9odSbPtUP4KfeE_AA0K1HNLReVMpYX0wgmpXTnoZ5E7iIUiCklmFbxsYHQSGIjhgGEbx6A78atgA5DpnrPpVljYSlQEIrLSpyv9FLzI0nfQDdtrvMfxdaL6H9ECT9snIfBR3ehjTMs/s320/Family+Visit-41.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Thursday after Vicki and Larry arrived was Grenada’s 39<sup>th</sup>
Independence Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marked by decorations
in the national colors of yellow, red and green galore, the country expresses
its enthusiasm by organizing a festive celebration at the stadium in St. George
(the capital).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I have never
gone to the stadium on Independence Day (neither this nor last year), but I’ve
enjoyed the pictures posted by my friends of military parades, costumed
dancers, parachutists and the swarming crowds of bedecked Grenadians, forming
undulating masses of yellows, reds and greens.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
Independence Day was spent at Magazine beach by Ivan and I and his
parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We snorkeled in the slightly
choppy water, spotting flurries of indigo fish and brittle black sea
urchins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan, my stalwart husband, is
not a natural swimmer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I can think of
no graceful way of putting it—he sinks like a rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With his buoyancy belt Christmas present,
though, he was able to snorkel with Larry and me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, without the constant compulsion to
scan the sea floor for Ivan, I became a little too enthusiastic in my diving
and flipping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After choking on and
subsequently swallowing about a cup of seawater (and thus ensuring a fair
amount of evening gastric distress), I gave up and we headed ashore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stomach ache aside, I had a fun day and the
weather was excellent for a beach visit.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Friday
evening the four of us joined an international crowd of visiting family members
and their respective students to take part in one of SGU’s Family Weekend
events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, the school was organizing
and providing transportation (at a nominal fee) for visiting family to take a
trip to Gouyave—Grenada’s largest fishing village—along the northwestern coast
of the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gouyave (hometown of 2012
Olympic winner, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirani_James" target="_blank">Kirani James</a>) holds a weekly event referred to as Fish
Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A draw to locals, students and
tourists alike, Fish Friday is pretty much what it sounds like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A line of about a dozen tarps supported by
skeletal aluminum frames line an elbow alley in the town and local chefs and/or
fishermen fry (what we assume to be fresh) fish in crudely assembled
kitchenettes, selling their breaded and dripping nosh in Styrofoam boxes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But I’m
getting too far ahead of myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First
there was the ride to Gouyave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six SGU
buses—to you folks at home, that is the standard school bus in size—were
required to cart everyone up the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This event was pretty popular, it seemed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cut through the capital first, zigzagging
our way up impossibly steep hills and unforgivingly narrow avenues, before
emerging in the heart of the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
being Larry and Vicki’s first glimpse at St. George, I tried to point out a few
landmarks as we made our way through the lamp-lit streets. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">On the
left is Sweet Traditions Bakery and the Esplanade Mall; on the right is the
Shipwreck souvenir store and the spice market; on the left is the bus terminal
and the fish market; on the right is the meat market</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>St.
George’s meat market—an open-air sort of building, with mullioned windows of
shattered glass and iron bars—has been a curiosity of mine for some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t actually ventured inside, but have
milled around the front gate where women sell offal out of white mixing buckets
and hot effluvia escapes from the barred windows in thick waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m planning to go inside some day; I just
have to work up the nerve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m afraid
that once I’m inside, I’ll end up buying something unusual to try out of an odd
urge to haze myself—like I’m a freshman of Grenada and this is all part of
integration.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Friday
evening the meat market’s insides were black and dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gate was closed, its iron bars reflecting
the orange street lamps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except the last
window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glowing from between the black
bars and lit like a glossy hourglass column of pale wax was a pig, strung up
and eviscerated, white like tallow in the fluorescent work light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to point it out to the others, but
I’m not sure they were able to see it in time.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That</i>, I thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that is something I would have to request to witness back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is nothing I would accidentally spot out
of the window of the school bus</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s all part of that integration.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The trip
(about ten miles in a straight line from point A to point B) took us roughly an
hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With emphasis on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">roughly</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a lot</i> of emphasis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d heard from others that the best way to
get to Fish Friday was via boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As SGU
had not chartered a boat for the evening, we had no choice but to brave the
gut-wrenching curves at break-neck speed, stopping ourselves from looking out
the windows at the sheer cliffs we narrowly swept along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully the buses are equipped with
handles as they were much needed that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I felt like a popcorn kernel, rocketing around in my seat and, seeing
the jostling heads of everyone in front of me, knew I wasn’t alone.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
arrival must have been an astonishing moment for the Fish Fry vendors (if they
weren’t forewarned) as our crowd of two-hundred crashed into the alley, cameras
flashing at the novelty and simplicity of a tiny country’s conventions and its
residents’ reactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first tents
were swarmed utterly and the vendors within greeted their impatient patrons
with the customary Grenadian apathy—that is to say, there was no greeting, only
the typical lackluster response to orders and threadbare conversation
otherwise, if any at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially off-putting,
the apparent surliness of many local vendors and clerks is happily counterbalanced
by the many other perfectly cheerful ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One just needs to know where to look to find the cheery vendors (i.e.
the souvenir stalls, the steel drum tent, the booze tent, etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t believe the (now expected) surliness
is genuine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who could be surly when
raking in so much money?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it can be a
little startling when your shining excited smile and gleefully skippy tone is
met with stone-faced indifference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is some sort of culture difference that I have yet to figure out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kRAcrp7Dz3-yFoe9KQICbEDvs5dA9lXa3433w7mWc0svKUGMH3K1Z03HC8K96OcySKaXj1shCQ_LJBgDdCJ4N7JtpcBoh-zeFpEVIkqNeFe6UYdQKk6ZaWtemRBMnfWbJ5X5q1c3y8o/s1600/Family+Visit-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kRAcrp7Dz3-yFoe9KQICbEDvs5dA9lXa3433w7mWc0svKUGMH3K1Z03HC8K96OcySKaXj1shCQ_LJBgDdCJ4N7JtpcBoh-zeFpEVIkqNeFe6UYdQKk6ZaWtemRBMnfWbJ5X5q1c3y8o/s400/Family+Visit-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Barely
able to squeeze between the throngs of Hawaiian-shirt-wearing eager
camera-wielding visitors, we trudged on down the line of tents to find an
available counter and order our supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We finally found a tent trailing a reasonably short line of customers
and squeezed in, craning around to spot what, exactly, was for sale at this
particular kitchenette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up with
half of a spiny lobster, a mahi mahi pasta and some fried skipjacks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOYyCV4GSjDsrww8VGM9OH6QM7bVvZjsd0igsv3uLZsg40QEw13y2XXLmonYnrC8wG5FgOaIJTf311VKZRqJijUdVSKEitEc4SwMERDRcO7RKn6V4UAkDeQ1k8Dv97IPOGlliuuGDH68/s1600/Family+Visit-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOYyCV4GSjDsrww8VGM9OH6QM7bVvZjsd0igsv3uLZsg40QEw13y2XXLmonYnrC8wG5FgOaIJTf311VKZRqJijUdVSKEitEc4SwMERDRcO7RKn6V4UAkDeQ1k8Dv97IPOGlliuuGDH68/s320/Family+Visit-14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg2b7aQheJzyuQYZ226NEmzUFDkddCI5K5RPGPXPVGxMa1TNnuPikT2Bvy-agFEdoV7HDZokeoLELZ3GkDfajRKGSrACchVYLqobP5JMOlFdi_4Q-AXoIGrb0-j5rnsqpk6hqjVaHLhE/s1600/Family+Visit-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg2b7aQheJzyuQYZ226NEmzUFDkddCI5K5RPGPXPVGxMa1TNnuPikT2Bvy-agFEdoV7HDZokeoLELZ3GkDfajRKGSrACchVYLqobP5JMOlFdi_4Q-AXoIGrb0-j5rnsqpk6hqjVaHLhE/s320/Family+Visit-22.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skipjacks</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eysStjsqSroc1-4XKyID8La0Grefnjl-dXHgVYH-wRjYhRlQlcDRkjEKJd81MyV7_ONbQ9glYnR47VCihwOHT5o2aEyriNsKTMlVRHp2l_35iqz24GijbdW3q6-gQKRFnmW4-LA6jek/s1600/Family+Visit-21.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eysStjsqSroc1-4XKyID8La0Grefnjl-dXHgVYH-wRjYhRlQlcDRkjEKJd81MyV7_ONbQ9glYnR47VCihwOHT5o2aEyriNsKTMlVRHp2l_35iqz24GijbdW3q6-gQKRFnmW4-LA6jek/s1600/Family+Visit-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eysStjsqSroc1-4XKyID8La0Grefnjl-dXHgVYH-wRjYhRlQlcDRkjEKJd81MyV7_ONbQ9glYnR47VCihwOHT5o2aEyriNsKTMlVRHp2l_35iqz24GijbdW3q6-gQKRFnmW4-LA6jek/s320/Family+Visit-21.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The mahi
mahi pasta was fabulous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lobster was
still cold (having been pre-cooked and frozen before hastily thrown on the
grill) and tough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fried skipjacks
were also cold and had the taste and consistency of fish jerky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still ate almost everything, but at that point
began wondering what exactly was the draw of Fish Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t particularly care for deep fried
foods so I may be a wee bit biased in my assessment; that being said, my
favorite part of the evening was probably watching the stray dogs (as there are
always stray dogs) ripping up and down the crumbling concrete walkway,
snatching bits of fried fish heads and macaroni pie.</div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We spent
most of our short stay at the end of the elbow alley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The exit was guarded by our tour guides, corralling
us like livestock into the small dining areas and prohibiting our wandering
into the underlit recesses of Gouyave, where visiting families of students may
have their unspoiled impressions of Grenada corrupted by the desperate poor,
with nothing to peddle, lingering upwind of the wealthy tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the designated time, we were funneled in
safe and secure channels, back through the charmingly derelict alleys and onto
the buses.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The ride
back to school was considerably smoother, with everyone feeling heavier with
food and lighter with drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bus
driver’s enthusiasm seemed to have ebbed and he kept a comfortable distance
from the cliffs and slowed easily for the speed bumps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fully night for the hour ride down the
island and we kept to the coast most of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easy to see the beauty of the island
during the day, when the sky is a candy blue and the sea is a rich turquoise
and the island is a rolling landscape of velvety greens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At night, though, the horizon is consumed in
a blinding darkness and the only evidence of the sea are insignificant specks
of ship lights, glaring through the inky blackness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching those manmade stars pinned against a
backdrop of nothingness is the most calming way to end the day.</div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67899999999997411.6199695 -62.324446999999971 12.6130305 -61.033552999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-3705099765213376002013-02-05T14:04:00.000-04:002013-02-05T14:04:03.679-04:00Quality Time: Celebrations and Strays<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My last
post was two weeks ago and already Ivan has had his midterms!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third term really is as brief as everyone
made it out to be; even more so, perhaps, due to our apprehension at what’s to
follow—fourth term and the dreaded Pathology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But that’s not worth worrying about now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the time being, we are enjoying the relaxing weeks we can spend
together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
evening, Ivan’s parents will be flying in to spend their vacation here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We already have most of our days planned out,
and the remainder, I hope, will be spent just relaxing and enjoying the perfect
weather, warm sea and amazing fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They will be staying at the Flamboyant Resort along Grand Anse beach—a
pretty ideal stretch of white sand and glassy water for a Caribbean
vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m disappointed they missed
the sailing regatta last weekend, but they will be around for Grenada’s
Independence Day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Since I
anticipate being justifiably busy for the next couple weeks, I figured I’d
throw together an update post before slipping off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I hate to
sound like a broken record, but I really am loving having Ivan around so
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I shouldn’t get too
comfortable; still, fourth term’s demands will probably come as a shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week, we watched movies together—as in,
simultaneously, without my having to wear headphones as to not disturb the
studious hubby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was even popcorn to
be had!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three nights in a row we watched
a movie, and thus finished the most recent 007 series, wherein the role of
James Bond was played by one Daniel Craig (insert suggestive whistle).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We had
enough free time to go on a hash last weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Read: we ran, tripped and tumbled
four miles through a tropical forest and up a rocky river</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended the hash sharing oil down (the
national dish) with a stray dog and sharing beers with a couple new
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was, as all good hashes are,
moderately muddy; so there was a line for a hose to clean off before leaving
for the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While waiting, I
actually caught myself shivering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
I’ve forgotten in a year is that the dry season is considerably cooler than the
wet, particularly in the early morning and evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the dry season months, Grenada plays
host to the brisk trade winds and when the sun is not beating you into
submission, the air actually gets a little nippy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So there I was, in the Caribbean, twelve
degrees north of the equator, shivering.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Speaking of
stray dogs—they are just everywhere right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I seem to be seeing more than usual specifically around the Grand Anse
campus and beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That, I believe, is
due to one female dog that’s in heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first time I saw her, she was alone and I had no treats, but she happily
accepted some pettings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second time
I saw her (all encounters were at the Grand Anse beach and campus), I
remembered a baggy of treats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a
gentleman caller with her who refused the biscuits, apparently preoccupied by
his date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she got the whole bag to
herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The third time I saw her was at
a friend’s surprise birthday party (again, on the beach).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had in tow three suitors this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fourth time I saw her was yesterday and
she had a whole slew of rough-and-tumble pleasuremongers sniffing around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brought along my bag of treats,
anticipating coming across her again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She only got one biscuit, though, before I had to jump out of the way of
her unseemly boyfriends who’d started into each other with hackles raised and
rippling snarls (fighting over the girl, not the food, which they couldn’t have
cared less about).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the SGU
security guards had to run the dogs off so I could safely get down from the
bench (where I’d taken refuge).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
looking forward to when she’s out of heat and I can just feed her without her
prowlers around.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvCTeloHYXK6aeZyOzn68JcVsdLcjP4XqXDR2Ma6Hdt2NGdhD42pvYSC9ZeIPlHj7h1zGY-soh7BF07NutLnr63miVYDz7ao8wFPqXdPggZIOmoasXhoYQsOMOeFPvaHl77S9b_huSeg/s1600/IMG_2712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvCTeloHYXK6aeZyOzn68JcVsdLcjP4XqXDR2Ma6Hdt2NGdhD42pvYSC9ZeIPlHj7h1zGY-soh7BF07NutLnr63miVYDz7ao8wFPqXdPggZIOmoasXhoYQsOMOeFPvaHl77S9b_huSeg/s320/IMG_2712.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the suitors. This guy was very pleasant, though his name is Crab.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Did I
mention something about a surprise birthday party?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, our friend, Mark, turned twenty-seven
and his wife, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/MyraMark/494010467286067?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Myra</a>, organized a surprise party for him on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a pretty cute idea considering Grenada
has some crazy gorgeous beaches that are all but deserted most of the
time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we had a nice evening of
birthday cupcakes and wine and company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ivan and I spent most of the night on the beach, burying our feet in the
fine, cool sand and chatting with friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At some point a stray dog joined us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And as I am who I am, for a good half-hour, I just scratched and petted
him; in spite of my lack of treats he stuck around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, when I stopped scratching, he’d kiss
me and nose me until I started back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As far as strays go, he was a pretty healthy dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either he had an owner somewhere or his
fondness for attention earned him enough food from students and tourists to
keep him in good shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was time
for him to move on, he squeezed between me and Natalie (who was just getting
over strep throat and a related near-death experience), lifted his leg on her
and then scampered off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Natalie froze
and asked, very calmly, “Did he just pee on me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I could breathe for laughing so
hard, but finally I was able to examine her side and no, he didn’t pee on
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s the thought that counts,
right?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2agnkDQFSE82_CoyXMAq3h5ung6azAJRPGO68aGzvpNho95cgH4KASRDdeDeMYmIdWti8HdYmUONaG_8587BfCHUWI_ykROM_fvXvyzniTxjM6LUSkt8_2tGQcwdt2hmJJGhCQBx0Pw/s1600/IMG_2719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2agnkDQFSE82_CoyXMAq3h5ung6azAJRPGO68aGzvpNho95cgH4KASRDdeDeMYmIdWti8HdYmUONaG_8587BfCHUWI_ykROM_fvXvyzniTxjM6LUSkt8_2tGQcwdt2hmJJGhCQBx0Pw/s320/IMG_2719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
Sunday, Ivan and I joined a few friends and headed back to Grand Anse beach to
watch <a href="http://www.grenadasailingfestival.com/workboatregatta.php" target="_blank">Grenada’s 20<sup>th</sup> annual sailing workboat regatta</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We never made it out last year and as this
was our last chance, I’m so happy we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The weather could not have been more perfect, windy and cloudless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun lit up the sea, and the stretch of
sand where the festival was taking place pulsed with energy and movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brilliant workboats lined the shore, their
wooden bodies painted vividly and, extending from the center of each, a long
shaft of bamboo and a snapping sail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
speaker’s voice, muffled by the participants’ laughter and chatter, and lifted
by the wind, called out names of the boats in sets of three or four,
instructing them to move into the water and take their positions at the
starting point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond, against the
horizon, yellow markers dictated the movement of the competitors as their
homemade sails strained against bamboo masts and pulled the little workboats
along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Motorboats were near at hand to rescue
foundering boats and their defeated sailors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some didn’t need rescuing, but returned to the shore frantically scooping
buckets of seawater from the flooding belly, or propping up their masts with
their bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two boats we saw capsize
and needed to be dragged back ashore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even in the face of defeat, the sailors were in good spirits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to think that the infectious joy in the
festival was not in winning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed,
many of the boats never had a chance.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ivan and
I really enjoyed the regatta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not
always overjoyed to be in Grenada, but that festival was an example of the sort
of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/minephotomobile/sets/72157632683685304/" target="_blank">vibrant beauty, stunning clarity and heartbreaking perfection</a> that I can
compare to no other experience in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m horrified to think that if it weren’t for Ivan’s indomitable drive
to accomplish more in life than the average person, we would have settled for
the minutiae of a static life and this absurdly gorgeous island and these
remarkable experiences would have been no more than exotic advertisements and
missed opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
distinct sense of awe and privilege at being present during an event that
showcased the citizens’ intense national pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More than ever, Ivan and I want to continue traveling and collect
unique and spectacular moments like this, drawing away from different cultures
their admirable devotion and unforgettable displays of pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I suppose I’d better get to planning our
<a href="http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/en/index_en.html" target="_blank">next trip</a> soon, then!)</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzaSjA4hqrQVT-JOVz_X8QlmTMMUuxdU3RazD80Yq_7ANse9rlStDi9h-NlfB-7ki9UUCDegEcHqa37cyOXtIswaT9INWn8x4In-e9UT2N_raLjWKYGQmVljYnnzrIdTczgBJguXpoMc/s1600/IMG_9250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzaSjA4hqrQVT-JOVz_X8QlmTMMUuxdU3RazD80Yq_7ANse9rlStDi9h-NlfB-7ki9UUCDegEcHqa37cyOXtIswaT9INWn8x4In-e9UT2N_raLjWKYGQmVljYnnzrIdTczgBJguXpoMc/s400/IMG_9250.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was really pumped about those 007 movies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we’re
not hiking through the jungle or feeding stray dogs or watching British
playboys shoot stuff, Ivan and I have other hobbies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve been attentive for the past year,
you’re probably familiar with Ivan’s botanical interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last spring, he grew an avocado tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly it didn’t quite survive the summer
while we were gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the fall, Ivan
planted a genip seed which, almost instantly, erupted into a happy plant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the very same pot, he stuck a number of
the local seasoning pepper seeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
term, the seasoning pepper plant has been producing and Ivan planted some
Scotch Bonnet seeds that have already started taking off.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmYwaY88VJa6aRTwhnI2gTBfMG83KI_f_S6ErI8remMi_WJcRNcxZxfTcUjVvOkEPsPsBK8hiAqHy5MmYhYZdIX9-D_PktQMTwPc0jIAJU4kjAVP9FpTZS8bieoPTi0NO8e2FCYkMBBI/s1600/IMG_9184+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmYwaY88VJa6aRTwhnI2gTBfMG83KI_f_S6ErI8remMi_WJcRNcxZxfTcUjVvOkEPsPsBK8hiAqHy5MmYhYZdIX9-D_PktQMTwPc0jIAJU4kjAVP9FpTZS8bieoPTi0NO8e2FCYkMBBI/s320/IMG_9184+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seasoning Pepper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VcAOCh97T52nIFrdi2hFw5SvhC_GdxwAe5o3TA6PJo1Ux9j3b8MghE4_Z8eY79Rmi_Gk0DWvMW2y0SwADaqvGh_W9nPMYHpWUIIlLJgAsx8jNVcG-Q5amTLhH1gcFnPsW0NbgCJl_NM/s1600/IMG_9192+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VcAOCh97T52nIFrdi2hFw5SvhC_GdxwAe5o3TA6PJo1Ux9j3b8MghE4_Z8eY79Rmi_Gk0DWvMW2y0SwADaqvGh_W9nPMYHpWUIIlLJgAsx8jNVcG-Q5amTLhH1gcFnPsW0NbgCJl_NM/s320/IMG_9192+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scotch Bonnet plants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In my
spare time, I’ve begun knitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spending my time here without learning at least one new hobby or craft
seemed entirely too wasteful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
Christmas, my mother-in-law got me a giant picnic basket full of yarn and all
of the basic essentials to get me going, including a few necessary how-to
books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to say, my biggest issue
when starting out was how to hold the ergonomically-challenged bamboo sticks (which,
I now understand, are curiously referred to as “needles”) while simultaneously
maneuvering the length of yarn that never quite matched the ideal tautness or
slackness necessary for my purposes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
ball of yarn and a full-length scarf later, I have come to a compromising
realization that, in order to be a successful knitter, I must adopt a pose that
resembles an arthritic, hunch-backed tyrannosaurus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my next project, I intend to work on that
crippling posture before I’m forever stuck with clawed dementor hands.</div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As far
as the scarf: at first I hated it—crumpled mess of a first attempt that it was—but
now it’s grown on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find myself
drawn to its peculiar bumps and irregularities, like a newborn hippo; it’s ugly
as sin, yet I can’t help but love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
won’t, as was my original plan, be gifting it to some abhorrent enemy of mine,
but will keep it as my own mangled and adored handiwork.</div>
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Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67899999999997411.6199695 -62.324446999999971 12.6130305 -61.033552999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-85596451966607885152013-01-21T12:29:00.000-04:002013-01-21T12:29:03.746-04:00Third Term: Grazing Before the Slaughter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We’ve
been back on the island for over a week now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Third term classes started for Ivan on Monday; so he’s been at it for a
week and, as everyone advised, third term has thus far been relaxing, albeit in
a I’m-taking-easy-classes-but-I’m-<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">still</i>-in-med-school
relaxing way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Semantics aside, the free
time allowed by an easier workload has given Ivan the chance to get out… quite
a bit, in fact.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But let
me take a step or two back.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In my
previous post, I said that I wasn’t able to visit my brother and his family in
Pittsburgh before departing, due to that nasty circulating flu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from being a total downer that I couldn’t
spend a little extra time with the kids, this hitch also meant that we needed
to drive to Pittsburgh from Erie (two and a half hours) the morning of our
6:20am departure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not, despite my
best efforts, able to fall asleep until about 10pm the night before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up at midnight and on the road by 1:00am, I
had only two hours of sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to
say, I had a jumbo coffee copilot for the extent of the drive (yes, I was
behind the wheel: one last taste before returning to Grenada, where we don’t
drive).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, what am I getting at?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had very little sleep and was wired for the
two flights ahead.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
arrived in Miami without a hiccup, spent our seven-hour layover traversing the
airport’s web-like layout, consuming the last of our well-loved greasy American
food and Starbucks, before the final leg—our flight to Grenada.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Immigration
at the Maurice Bishop International Airport was, per usual, no problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we reached customs; more accurately, we
reached the end of the line for customs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The end of a very long, unmoving line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a half hour of standing in that static queue with our luggage piled
next to us, word finally arrived that the customs officers (of which there were
approximately two actively working) were searching every passenger’s bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Individually and thoroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to give you some perspective: the Boeing
737-800 seats about one-hundred and forty-two people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s about how long the line was—the line
in which we were last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hardly needs
stated, but there was a fair amount of grumbling and riotous murmurs (of actual
riots, there were, disappointingly, none).</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our flight
landed at 8:30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 11:30pm, I was
sleep-deprived and crashing from my caffeine jolt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no bathroom or drinking fountain in
the customs section of the airport, so I was also uncomfortable and thirsty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peculiar and irrational urges to scream,
break something, or just start belting out Gangnam Style began feeling less and
less like an unprovoked reaction to what I had begun to equate to unusual
torture.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally
we approached the customs officer and, as it turns out, they were searching
bags for undeclared iPads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The duty
charged on an iPad is atrocious, so it’s not surprising that hordes of students
would choose not to declare them and save the money.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking of money, Ivan and I are far too
poor to own a fancy gadget like an iPad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(And money is the only reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
has nothing at all to do with my ineptitude for all things technologically gadget-like.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our bags were dutifully searched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer hesitated on our luggage scale,
which bears no resemblance to an iPad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then he came across our White Elephant Christmas Present—a gaudy plaque
with an oriental decorative mask—and seemed horribly offended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I don’t know that the plaque is
inherently offensive, but I suppose it could be considered faintly tacky or
even a little tasteless (Cristal, rest assured, we LOVE it!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the officer looked like I was smuggling
in some sort of provocative, racist tribal trophy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine going to your grandma’s house with a
head on a pike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s essentially the
response we got.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lesson: we are, it
seems, barbarians.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbzdG8sfuDEYqMa_7s1EtQwLxm5kotzPqA0zOK8MnyfGArP90Pk3NExHfVDuaX4Mq_dR_QhnG-16xertudTL31LTs0ppQG-gfCr-PYlvy7La3VFxFE8KiE_JQfsgBvUBD1RouHmsAprI/s1600/IMG_9117_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbzdG8sfuDEYqMa_7s1EtQwLxm5kotzPqA0zOK8MnyfGArP90Pk3NExHfVDuaX4Mq_dR_QhnG-16xertudTL31LTs0ppQG-gfCr-PYlvy7La3VFxFE8KiE_JQfsgBvUBD1RouHmsAprI/s320/IMG_9117_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
plaque made it through customs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
officer spent less time on my camera than the mask, but still, he questioned if
the camera was new (which, of course, I denied) and what the two additional
lenses do (what an odd question) and how many megapixels the camera has (to
which I don’t recall my response).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before midnight, we escaped the airport.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As a
great—and most appreciated—relief, our friends were there to pick us up and
save us the hassle and cost of a taxi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even more, they had granola bars and cold beer for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it is not illegal in Grenada, I enjoyed
both during our ride home.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Good
news: our apartment was in shining condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The few items we left in our refrigerator were still in there and our
cleaning lady, Nikita, even moved the bread we had left to the freezer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our wardrobe was untouched and still very
full of everything we’d packed inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holly
and David, our downstairs neighbors, had not only collected the keys for our
apartment, but had also stocked our fridge with the eggs they knew we would
undoubtedly need.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sweet
relief: we finally slept.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Saturday,
the day after our plane landed, I ran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The hardest part about being in Erie during the winter was my inability
to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During most of our stay, the
weather was snowy (not that I am complaining about the snow at all), which
meant that I couldn’t just wake up and go running—something I’ve taken for
granted living in the Caribbean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
landing, I’ve only abstained from running on Sundays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since his classes are not too difficult now,
Ivan’s even been joining me every other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t know that I could qualify myself as a particularly good runner,
but I think addicted is an adequate description of my interest.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If I
could summarize Grenada in two happy words, they would be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mangoes</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">running</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unfortunately,
then, I would be leaving out the very happy word, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">friends</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sunday
morning we met a couple friends, Gwynne and Martin, and their children for a
trip to Seven Sisters waterfalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
goal of the trip, as I understood it, was to jump the falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are seven waterfalls in total (hence
the name), though only five are accessible for jumping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we arrived, we paid our modest entry fee
and grabbed a walking stick each from the cantankerous old cashier who hollered
at me for wearing flip-flops and outright forbade any jumping of the falls,
spouting some tirade about broken backs and necks and… well, no one was really
listening.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22vj6XjWeGYyV50PV6l6DZ4rK7BoZRWwPK2IrKkfmvHVLmmpQ7NAT3T5VURWx9tXgf98cox_hTj8TmUU-oAj8ejzC_Un8lkXSVwY-QPJk8zX01utiftGE92q5K1OV0kNBJyILGF4mYNs/s1600/IMG_9102_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22vj6XjWeGYyV50PV6l6DZ4rK7BoZRWwPK2IrKkfmvHVLmmpQ7NAT3T5VURWx9tXgf98cox_hTj8TmUU-oAj8ejzC_Un8lkXSVwY-QPJk8zX01utiftGE92q5K1OV0kNBJyILGF4mYNs/s320/IMG_9102_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The puppies we saw along the hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZiJZzzS5-aj26KEdMX4C9xPAbt1gd33FrOWF0oa9MopsIr7UrYRbDlrkP8htRtZPRpgjHTxr2QIZGt16BR1O0nGohXe_u04tEgT1JlVylXO4LXmWudGd6DUxZK3CGWH8fV8BRuo3cuY/s1600/IMG_9007_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZiJZzzS5-aj26KEdMX4C9xPAbt1gd33FrOWF0oa9MopsIr7UrYRbDlrkP8htRtZPRpgjHTxr2QIZGt16BR1O0nGohXe_u04tEgT1JlVylXO4LXmWudGd6DUxZK3CGWH8fV8BRuo3cuY/s320/IMG_9007_1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We hiked
a very muddy and steep path to the falls where we found the swimming hole
teaming with German tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few of
them mutely presented the best argument against Speedos I’ve ever witnessed,
but I suppose shameless public comfort can be found in even the snuggest of
garments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t have very long to
wait before they cleared out and headed back to their tour buses, presumably
adhering to a strict schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
Martin found the jumping guide known as Super Butterfly and it was time to hike
up the hill and jump the falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am an
absolutely helpless coward; so when I was told I couldn’t bring my camera with
me unless it could get wet, I was actually pretty relieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the camera in question was my SLR,
there was no way I was going to leave it unattended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I bid the rest of the group farewell,
promising to photograph them when they reached this last, enormous waterfall.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGINgl8APsiAWcbtti83r8J9nagyg4-YcxAi2sdQgEByB7kI9J25ccXDJRIHhMOPpdpvY3hDVOxnl_s3Fdx-ZEhK9RQvIX7CchvYYNy_ScOMZrql-DDbN_TL5bY_bCcaV_4tHbyRHfyg/s1600/IMG_9010_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGINgl8APsiAWcbtti83r8J9nagyg4-YcxAi2sdQgEByB7kI9J25ccXDJRIHhMOPpdpvY3hDVOxnl_s3Fdx-ZEhK9RQvIX7CchvYYNy_ScOMZrql-DDbN_TL5bY_bCcaV_4tHbyRHfyg/s320/IMG_9010_1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Twenty
to thirty minutes was all it took before the group emerged at the top of the
falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waded waist-deep into the water
and looked up and up and up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According
to Super Butterfly, this was the largest of the waterfalls; it was a
thirty-five foot drop into a pool that was eighteen feet deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guide gave some jumping lessons, then
stood back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One after another, they
leapt off the ledge and my stomach dropped each time.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By this
time, another wave of German tourists had arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a final hurrah, the jumping group did one
last leap off of a smaller waterfall just downstream of the tall one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After they’d finished, Ivan convinced me to
give it a try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sure</i>, I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, it
didn’t look hard at all, watching the others hop right off the ledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I clambered up the rocks and got to the
edge and my stomach dropped again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
jump was maybe ten feet, nothing horrific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the face of cliff (can I call it a cliff?) was at a grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, to jump safely, I needed to
propel myself forward, away from the rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since I was standing on wet shale and moss and mud, I was feeling a wee
bit uncertain about my footing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that
wasn’t enough to fray my nerves, the tourists were grouping around to watch the
show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them pulled out a bag of
bread and threw fistfuls into the pool below me, demonstrating the ridiculous
schools of fish I was about to plunge into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Danke</i>, friend.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
series of photos Ivan shot show my hesitation—marked by my deceptively cheerful
glances—and even my false jump which left the German tourists laughing
mid-cheer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then the rest of our
friends caught on to my intent and, across the stream, began cheering and
waving with so much enthusiasm, what could I do but jump?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I survived, despite an unexpected jet of cold
water that rushed up my nose upon impact.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
else have we been up to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, game
night last week was a great reunion with a handful of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though it began with red wine on my
shirt, I’m willing to bet we’ll show up again this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to the beach last week also, though
the water was unusually choppy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
suppose we’ll have to try again very soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went into town with a friend and got eight pounds of fish at the fish
market (sailfish, yellow fin and barracuda), which I anticipate lasting us a
while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve eaten some of the most
amazing mangoes we’ve had on the island (excellent way to start the term).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We celebrated our friend’s thirtieth two
weeks in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most recently we
celebrated at the Cave House Restaurant, a pretty fancy place that, in my
opinion, has way too much silverware—I think we start with about sixteen
pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty certain we didn’t act
the part of fancy patrons since our conversations bordered on the verge of
inappropriate bar-talk at least half of the time and the birthday boy forsook
all silverware in favor of a face-plant when his chocolate birthday mousse
arrived, but there were good times to be had.</div>
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Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67899999999997411.6199695 -62.324446999999971 12.6130305 -61.033552999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-70246666301556807302013-01-16T17:37:00.000-04:002013-01-16T17:37:12.290-04:00Our Brief Respite<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well,
our vacation is over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though, I must
admit, I don’t recall much relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
not complaining, of course, but I believe we have just emerged from the busiest
three weeks of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now we’re
back on the island, (almost) unpacked, (relatively) settled in, and Ivan has
already started classes.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To say
that I was excited to go home over the break would be an egregious
understatement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During our time in
Grenada, I have and continue to struggle with identity and separation
issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most individuals in my position
face the same concerns, so it’s nothing particularly unique; I’m just learning
how to cope with continuous dramatic change and do my best to adapt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately I’m also learning that adapting
is not a remarkably strong skill of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Understandably, returning home was a pretty big deal for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, Erie, Pennsylvania has done very
little in the way of change and we arrived to find our home as ever it has
been.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Before
even getting to Erie, we spent our first night in Pittsburgh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite a serious lack of adequate sleep, I
thoroughly enjoyed my morning with nephew, Eddie, and niece, Emma. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Particularly enjoyable was sicking Eddie on a
sleeping Uncle Ivan and Grandma, then feeding him cookies for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Because what kind of aunt would I be to
deprive him of the sugar necessary to send him cartwheeling into deep trouble
with his groggy dad?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following our
horseplay, Ivan and I met with his parents to have an early dinner at The
Cheesecake Factory (cue the Homer-Simpson-drooling-for-doughnuts sound) for
Ivan’s 29<sup>th</sup> birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
right; we are both officially in our last year of adolescence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit, I am not ready for thirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason, I assimilate thirty with
adulthood—because, let’s be honest, no one actually acts like an adult in their
twenties.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But I
digress; that’s a story and a tiny violin for a birthday yet to come.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I don’t
have chronological recollection of our time spent in the States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were always trying to fit in one more
visit somewhere or with someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
happy to say that we saw almost everyone we wanted, though maybe not for long
enough; every visit seemed so brief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of
course, during the holiday season, everyone is busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were very lucky to have seen those we did.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_PculAJyrF5ACS2xrwPrctdq_EfyJOB_ByMvOFJ_Q-Tecy3__kCkQiLw4UBtkL70nEZYZ3htrYSwYnXJO0zpyfnuufJWBsvEHaBJq5Ac1KVaXobJhf5vH0j8v9z347vyk3qHNA4rguU/s1600/412933_3482111991545_25937684_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_PculAJyrF5ACS2xrwPrctdq_EfyJOB_ByMvOFJ_Q-Tecy3__kCkQiLw4UBtkL70nEZYZ3htrYSwYnXJO0zpyfnuufJWBsvEHaBJq5Ac1KVaXobJhf5vH0j8v9z347vyk3qHNA4rguU/s320/412933_3482111991545_25937684_o.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christmas
was spent, traditionally, first at my parents’ house (how Santa knew I’d love
more of the Starbucks Via instant coffees to bring back to Grenada, I’ll never
know!) and finished up at my grandparents’ house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent Christmas Eve with Ivan’s family
where we both got to meet our great nephew (that’s a title, not just an
adjective!) for the first time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day
after Christmas, winter storm Euclid hit our area and we hunkered down for the
evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though, since my list of
demands (yes, there was a list of demands to be fulfilled upon my arrival)
included some G-darn burgers, Dad coaxed a glowing mound of charcoal to life
and grilled some patties (100% local beef).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And he did it outside in the blizzard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why, yes, I am lucky to be surrounded by such awesomeness!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8H8-zpPrBJkeOAumAsMJf9nMOlGDWUm9FJu46za2tBrY7wvlBliANPzEzSiloHl7tynIuecN7tTZKu3rpiKqZBgYWI4H5gjYEuS_A62YeOF8hoZWu9MLLfnma92gXdpipYgPbICwwjE/s1600/IMG_8734_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8H8-zpPrBJkeOAumAsMJf9nMOlGDWUm9FJu46za2tBrY7wvlBliANPzEzSiloHl7tynIuecN7tTZKu3rpiKqZBgYWI4H5gjYEuS_A62YeOF8hoZWu9MLLfnma92gXdpipYgPbICwwjE/s320/IMG_8734_1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
visited with Eddie and Emma (nephew and niece) and Ed and Megan (brother and sister-in-law)
again after Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
sweetest moments of our visit happened the weekend they were in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eddie (4 years old) had “bought” presents for
a few people, me included.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
pretty ring with a heart-shaped rhinestone—a gift he’d gotten for another aunt
as well as his mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When presenting his
gifts, he stopped short and looked utterly distraught for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at Megan, round-eyed and concerned,
and said, “Oh no, Mom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I forgot to get
Ivan a present!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The genuine distress he
had was about the cutest and most pitiful thing I’d ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As luck would have it, he did have a gift for
his uncle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eddie ran up to Ivan and
said, “Ivan, I didn’t get you a present, so I will hug you and you can have the
hug for a present.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a scale of
ridiculously cute, I’d give that a “for crying out loud” cute score!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAgzVozrpCyAdfT0uoEfkFqU6pCTV3BsTz7nRKobaikE_oK90utkad_Vy2G3XnM0ewj2IiFtmWsRt30y4P_3a2ydJn8VKJADrJgLGmML96VSap_TQ9M9rL2xTE9SQ8ne7fnIQ9OwNiUw/s1600/IMG_8759_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAgzVozrpCyAdfT0uoEfkFqU6pCTV3BsTz7nRKobaikE_oK90utkad_Vy2G3XnM0ewj2IiFtmWsRt30y4P_3a2ydJn8VKJADrJgLGmML96VSap_TQ9M9rL2xTE9SQ8ne7fnIQ9OwNiUw/s320/IMG_8759_1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We spent
New Year’s Eve at… well, I’m not entirely sure there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were with friends who took us to their
friends’ house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we spent New Year’s
Eve at the house of friends of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
house of friends of friends was an impressive, at times intimidating locale,
albeit full of good company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house
of friends of friends was one of those places that you say to yourself, “Someday,
when my husband is a rich doctor, we’ll own one of these in the Keys as a
modest vacation home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like, when we’re
bored with our five other <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">better</i>
homes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, though, the house of
friends of friends was a pretty nice place, with an even nicer spread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The friends of friends were no amateur hosts,
that much was clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to bring in the
New Year in style, we were given noise makers and flashy, glittery
headgear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Style was about the only thing
I had going on when the ball dropped, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the end of the countdown, I waited, expectantly, for my husband to
plant that New Year’s kiss squarely on my lips, only to find that his were too
busy downing our shared glass of champagne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think I gave one of those raised-eyebrow, you’ve-got-to-be-kidding
looks before he rectified his mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy New Year kiss!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And thus began our 2013.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdgXj0OXMxC4o9AnRuFsDJCMpjfRA2FhtGA5UZRTIBI5xMYA88iOdDaMhwnqJ3XQMm9-qob8RUVtIEj99E8dHTKbtCAPiOqMTW68uDg1MSPpeESzXCHqtbruVeJEr9Bo1PXcKwpXweSw/s1600/IMG_8889_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdgXj0OXMxC4o9AnRuFsDJCMpjfRA2FhtGA5UZRTIBI5xMYA88iOdDaMhwnqJ3XQMm9-qob8RUVtIEj99E8dHTKbtCAPiOqMTW68uDg1MSPpeESzXCHqtbruVeJEr9Bo1PXcKwpXweSw/s320/IMG_8889_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Busy we
may have been, but I wouldn’t have traded the controlled chaos of our vacation
for anything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I got to hang out
with family, laugh with friends, tromp through the snow, visit our favorite
places with our favorite people, and take pictures of it all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were fortunate enough to be allowed to
spend plenty (though, still not nearly enough) time with our dog, Babe, and
visit with our other happy pup (or, I guess, senior), Ajax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to catch up with family in person,
rather than via Skype.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And let’s not
forget the food!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much amazingly mouth
wateringly fabulous food!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flight
back must have been really fast, though, because all the weight I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know</i> I put on hasn’t quite caught up
with me yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My only regret was not
being able to visit with Eddie, Emma, Ed and Megan one more time before we
left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to cancel our plans to
spend a couple last days with them when the flu descended upon them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SDdBL8GpYLsMC5fZ0LHw5A3bjYke5j3D5uuF7Ijb3z1wuPXqHOn7W3wnBfkxIDMytiqWskwu0vufo_pT9aOZW3C2vjbQkilQCxes4kfgaYZa529nt0F35GWzlMKhdEp-td5Fkr3KZhw/s1600/IMG_8842_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SDdBL8GpYLsMC5fZ0LHw5A3bjYke5j3D5uuF7Ijb3z1wuPXqHOn7W3wnBfkxIDMytiqWskwu0vufo_pT9aOZW3C2vjbQkilQCxes4kfgaYZa529nt0F35GWzlMKhdEp-td5Fkr3KZhw/s320/IMG_8842_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And that’s
the story of my trip home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Happy New
Year to all!</div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Erie, PA, USA42.129224099999988 -80.08505942.034993599999986 -80.2464205 42.22345459999999 -79.9236975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-33575063663423855122012-11-29T15:12:00.002-04:002012-11-29T15:12:54.679-04:00Ground Control to Major Tom<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The big
story and the reason why you tuned in for this blog is Thanksgiving (and not at
all to do with the pop legend title reference, right?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was my first big holiday in
Grenada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, except for Easter, I
suppose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as I spent most of last
term miserable and perpetually anemic from mosquitoes, I was less than
enthusiastic when Easter rolled around and, if my memory serves me correctly, I
believe I spent the holiday crying.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmHuCpsWofRbCMhh9vQv9cDl0dlBsg9DJEsR9RUE_DLu_Y_f6d41tATzwlN_YQ2okA6cVcipF5S0krVD1zt5dlhLLz4EjlJ7LI6546hOsxSAofXLEDXbw3E48dV556SFYj1YWEsU678g/s1600/IMG_2501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmHuCpsWofRbCMhh9vQv9cDl0dlBsg9DJEsR9RUE_DLu_Y_f6d41tATzwlN_YQ2okA6cVcipF5S0krVD1zt5dlhLLz4EjlJ7LI6546hOsxSAofXLEDXbw3E48dV556SFYj1YWEsU678g/s200/IMG_2501.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Since I’m
having a considerably better term this fall, I actually felt the drive to
create (as best possible) a traditional Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Traditional Thanksgiving” to many may imply
the inclusion of turkey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, but this is
Grenada, folks and, even if I did have a full-sized oven, there was no flippin’
way I was going to buy a turkey at these prices!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even so,
we did still enjoy chicken breasts, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, flaky
biscuits, corn, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce
and pumpkin pie!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to take credit
for slaving over this meal all day, but I had to cut some corners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IGA, our primary grocery store, is notorious
for running out of the particular item you absolutely must have!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing this, I wondered what problems the
grocer would have in the week that preceded Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the American students would be
collecting their holiday meal items at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Concerned as I was that IGA wouldn’t have
something I needed to prepare our meal, I began stocking up on supplies early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I bought instant mashed potatoes weeks
before Thanksgiving in the off chance that IGA wouldn’t have fresh potatoes the
week before the holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought Stove
Top stuffing, Pillsbury Grands biscuits, canned sweet potatoes, a premade pie
crust, a jar of Heinz gravy (made in Pittsburgh!!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing I didn’t skimp on was the
pumpkin for the pie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I bought
fresh, then boiled and mashed myself.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_V-29oMI33oznkeIleo5iWCaoVaoJ8xz4wTh_YaEvdhrXtJNpgJFKK5b_jrtEpZMnjoHHgIYmM2UQ7zXVT-99r6Mv991GgsrgWqK04iHoUSRHysGKsd8Li9LwDC3EBIEAnuTBjtsRWs/s1600/IMG_6879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_V-29oMI33oznkeIleo5iWCaoVaoJ8xz4wTh_YaEvdhrXtJNpgJFKK5b_jrtEpZMnjoHHgIYmM2UQ7zXVT-99r6Mv991GgsrgWqK04iHoUSRHysGKsd8Li9LwDC3EBIEAnuTBjtsRWs/s320/IMG_6879.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I combined these two as a topping for the pumpkin pie. So good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdP5dOJAI4cKJmBY6qP_eUMM2jEw5Zi5KhiOYA_9sIerbs9kdIiAYkakxQvY2-JOoAk2IZJwWF2vR2BapyGx9dQhxvxpegP5j5RH-LuvS1y6s4YYR3exVtNvV0CmY8_112P3qm3_EI-s/s1600/IMG_6924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdP5dOJAI4cKJmBY6qP_eUMM2jEw5Zi5KhiOYA_9sIerbs9kdIiAYkakxQvY2-JOoAk2IZJwWF2vR2BapyGx9dQhxvxpegP5j5RH-LuvS1y6s4YYR3exVtNvV0CmY8_112P3qm3_EI-s/s320/IMG_6924.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wishbone, which was the highlight of the night for David.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCGUH6_lFetTjTnkq0d1hD42K8MPWgcxKdu5mnxZmBzhMm9Ihiq2Sfu8vGpbmM198TspRib0OoXGRPZyps5m4GyACdywJJRq_wWNPz5-WY0d5KMs5DIsNrUiP2TNB0XfxfusUFTVW65s/s1600/IMG_6929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCGUH6_lFetTjTnkq0d1hD42K8MPWgcxKdu5mnxZmBzhMm9Ihiq2Sfu8vGpbmM198TspRib0OoXGRPZyps5m4GyACdywJJRq_wWNPz5-WY0d5KMs5DIsNrUiP2TNB0XfxfusUFTVW65s/s320/IMG_6929.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-bite... sort of.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So I did
take some shortcuts, and our Thanksgiving meal wasn’t nearly as good as the
homemade meal I was missing back home, but it felt good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wanted to make it an intimate affair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(We never really have huge gatherings for
Thanksgiving back home.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we just
invited our neighbor, David, to join us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was just perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the
right amount of food to stuff us thoroughly and plenty of leftovers to last the
weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t feel overwhelmed by
guests in our studio apartment and I could take pride in the meal that I
(almost) single-handedly created!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Disclaimer:
David not only totally made the green bean casserole, he also let me use his
toaster oven all day so I could have two ovens running simultaneously.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could barely hide my seething envy when I
saw the massive golden brown turkey, bursting with stuffing, that my parents
made that afternoon and held up to the computer while we were Skyping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m content knowing that I’ll have
Christmas dinner with my loving family.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On Black
Friday, Ivan, David and I had second Thanksgiving at a friend’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a pot luck style meal, featuring an
exquisite lobster macaroni and cheese dish, as well as thick slices of deli
turkey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What fun times!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so happy we were included in their
celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I look forward to doing
it again next year.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_66NwJTcf8KwE-6STH2aRFQAtGQrYD4z4uTXlqIaVRVbHM2lIUGnmRXCfu5N_8Leavs6lUwZu47ixQd-i3V569Bvan9oiJtQm-zAClOGMG4ONnOap6secZxqUpp_JQsU1kgaeHhxdM4/s1600/IMG_2496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_66NwJTcf8KwE-6STH2aRFQAtGQrYD4z4uTXlqIaVRVbHM2lIUGnmRXCfu5N_8Leavs6lUwZu47ixQd-i3V569Bvan9oiJtQm-zAClOGMG4ONnOap6secZxqUpp_JQsU1kgaeHhxdM4/s320/IMG_2496.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner time! Notice David licking his lips, Mark looking expectant, Ryan queuing up and Marieke ready to be referee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well,
that was the big story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest is just
little stories.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Little
story one: After serving as Volunteer Coordinator on the Significant Others
Organization Board this term, I’ve decided to resign my position and pursue
other interests, like photography, painting and writing (and perhaps a new
hobby or two if I can find the time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will be serving on the SGU Photography Club’s board next term as the Internal
Communications Officer, though, which suits me just fine.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstYCWTrKF2ZjMmAQebWL6r00AEocBG6sr_KNh7Zb8tTYU4veN5IT11hzOb31GL1yqeleb5je7PSxJ4-vGOOBHnv45hUwsv_CmzxEgHBZqNwCOXZvir3-eJHL4JEmUGtLD8n0jrqPay9Q/s1600/IMG_6870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstYCWTrKF2ZjMmAQebWL6r00AEocBG6sr_KNh7Zb8tTYU4veN5IT11hzOb31GL1yqeleb5je7PSxJ4-vGOOBHnv45hUwsv_CmzxEgHBZqNwCOXZvir3-eJHL4JEmUGtLD8n0jrqPay9Q/s200/IMG_6870.JPG" width="133" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Little
story two: I made something new!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
bought a bag of “sorrel” from the grocery store to try my hand at sorrel
tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I continue, I should note
that I no longer take for granted the common name locals refer to fruits and
vegetables (i.e. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genip" target="_blank">genip </a>is a skinnup or chinup, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Banana" target="_blank">sugar bananas</a> are called rock
figs, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shado_beni" target="_blank">culantro </a>[that is not a misspelling] is known as shadow benny, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_bonnet_%28pepper%29" target="_blank">Scotch Bonnets</a> are just called hot peppers, etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The plant locally referred to as “sorrel” is in fact <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roselle_%28plant%29" target="_blank">roselle</a>, a plant in
the hibiscus family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its fruit resembles
a small but thick tulip in shape and is a rich crimson color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fruit is boiled with spices and sugar,
allowed to soak overnight, then strained into a container.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tea (which was entirely opaque) is then served
as is, or with rum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Straight, I found it
bitter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With rum, Ivan enjoyed it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafi0LKKPn80WiMWaFR6oBIfQDFZjq7qCYSCW-EU1UrloOOsHIwKqxhHLl91hFDlQPeUf4virNH_3fuFeaOwH6PzzMXZusIETlJlVVXC511QfbGcqlA2adGS7KGq63Sw41XvRQxyZhqS4/s1600/Sarah+Elvis+Beach-1-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafi0LKKPn80WiMWaFR6oBIfQDFZjq7qCYSCW-EU1UrloOOsHIwKqxhHLl91hFDlQPeUf4virNH_3fuFeaOwH6PzzMXZusIETlJlVVXC511QfbGcqlA2adGS7KGq63Sw41XvRQxyZhqS4/s200/Sarah+Elvis+Beach-1-12.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Little
story three: On Monday I had a great time <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/minephotomobile/sets/72157631935132375/" target="_blank">photographing a couple friends</a> who
will be leaving the island for good in December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah and Elvis were a blast to work with,
though I will miss them a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re
from New Jersey and intend to head back there for clinical rotations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully Ivan and I can see them when we do
our rotations in New York!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
exactly one week, Ivan will have his first final!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are absolutely in countdown mode now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have less than three weeks before we’re
back on a plane, flying home for a much anticipated break! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t get over how quickly this term seemed
to pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I definitely kept more busy
than last spring, with being on the board, being more involved in activities,
living on campus and being more social.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Moving on campus was the best decision we made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s undeniably more expensive, but I feel a
lot more free and safe (not to mention comfortable in the A/C!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have friends in our building and the bus
stop is almost at our doorstep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan doesn’t
have to worry about being late for class and it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so</i> much easier to carry sixty eggs back to the dorm when we live
right next to the “egg guy’s” selling spot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(I know some friends will get a kick out of that.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If our budget for the month is looking good,
we can swing by the Student Centre, right below our dorm, and buy a pizza or
get an amazing smoothie from New York Bagel ($10ec and I highly recommend the
mango/banana or peanut butter/chocolate).</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With everything
that’s been going on, I sort of feel like I’m rocketing through time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Cue Space Oddity—why does that song come to
mind when I think about this term?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
guess if I’m crashing, it’s going to be a good crash, back home!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of a sudden, it’s almost time for my last
visit to Queen Elizabeth Home for Children, or my last board meeting, or the
end-of-term social, or my last visit to the GSPCA, or my last game night with
friends, or my last chance to say goodbye to my fifth term buddies.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then I
think of Christmastime back home and the fuzzy glow of tree lights, and the
smell of cinnamon and vanilla and anise, and warm spiced wine, and my breath
lingering in the cold air, and piles of glossy wrapping paper and ribbons while
the kids play with their new toys, and friends laughing in sweaters and boots,
and the enchanting silence in the evenings when thousands of snowflakes
collapse on the world… and I think, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m
feeling very still right now</i>…</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
ready.</div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67911.8681035 -61.994857 12.3648965 -61.363143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-44672139075840231492012-11-16T13:35:00.000-04:002012-11-16T13:40:29.683-04:00Ending My Time Loop<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
having the hardest time reconciling the passage of time with the lack of
seasons in Grenada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m from
northwestern Pennsylvania where Thanksgiving is marked by steadily cooling
weather, the first frosts that tip the grass white, clear bags of mulched
leaves at the curb, black skeletal trees stripped of their leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m supposed to have unpacked my black wool
jacket, mounds of hats and scarves, unearthed my driving gloves, made an
appointment to have winter tires put on my car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I step outside, my breath should come out in white puffs and the
air should feel crisp and thin in my lungs.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QHQn0Kd3NcoGl-zae4dEL22UvkuIfIUueZSDn0VuXE4MXT877slpWxjwz6-uuLWW7qlucf0cVXxfWJMFrpmSjf4EFZt4csl6-or4FUNKRAvIiBNNcA3faJRkJm3Vp9bJd-kFxD8aGxk/s1600/Charlie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QHQn0Kd3NcoGl-zae4dEL22UvkuIfIUueZSDn0VuXE4MXT877slpWxjwz6-uuLWW7qlucf0cVXxfWJMFrpmSjf4EFZt4csl6-or4FUNKRAvIiBNNcA3faJRkJm3Vp9bJd-kFxD8aGxk/s320/Charlie.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I miss this...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I just
can’t quite come to terms with the date when I look outside <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every day</i> and see the same blue sky,
glaring sun, glittering water and vivid green leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something seems oddly amiss when I put on
sunscreen in November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And let’s not even
get started on how bizarre I feel wearing a swimsuit one week before
Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As often as I check my
calendar and understand that time is, genuinely passing, I still can’t shake
the feeling that I’ve been dropped in a looping hot summer day.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Folks
back home that envy my position, being in “paradise” (totally not my word for
Grenada), know that the novelty wears off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The beaches are beaches, and as nice as they may be, if you’re used to
(and hence comforted by) the changing seasons as I am, after a year, you’d
trade in those beaches for a nice piece of frozen home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call me crazy if you want; when our plane
lands on December 19<sup>th</sup> in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I am going to
run outside and stuff my bare hands in the first pile of snow I can find.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
short, yes, I am considerably homesick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m dying to hug my family and friends, before throwing snowballs at
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less than five weeks…</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Speaking
of Thanksgiving, it’s next Thursday… already!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most food is pretty expensive on the island, particularly when you’re
working with a budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, there are
more affordable options, such as fresh fruit, beans and eggs, but if you want
to eat meals that mildly resemble foods you ate back home, you’re going to
spend over $200ec every week on groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I knew this would be an issue for Thanksgiving, but budget be damned!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I intend to put together a decent meal for
Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, we’re hosting our
downstairs neighbor, David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So of course
I want something worth eating and, hopefully, enjoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just might have to make those leftovers
stretch out for a week to make up for the added expense.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We won’t
be enjoying a turkey since they cost more than lobster back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we have three chicken breasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re also going to have stuffing, mashed
potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, gravy, sweet potato casserole, biscuits (the
flaky, pull-apart ones!), pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie with a Nutella/whipped
cream topping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really hoping the
pumpkin desserts work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t
find canned pumpkin at IGA, so I just bought pumpkin slices, boiled them, added
coconut milk and spices, and mashed them by hand, then froze 1-cup portions.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
week a group of ladies who frequent the orphanage got together to make salt
dough ornaments for the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
know how many we made, but it felt like a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had to get creative to make all the ornaments unique, but I think we
did a pretty good job!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2dT3h01rC-DfeH-kVRwpYjm5vTosJk7ynLWkGmgThwEDkgY74QHhLUCzJSdNCjm-tmS1jBgLLGkmcX0QDRIqmeYWwk2sRKc9AA-vc7nVIWlW8Qj7-XuYplzyv9ELm3D6GSiPuZ-a7KQ/s1600/Ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2dT3h01rC-DfeH-kVRwpYjm5vTosJk7ynLWkGmgThwEDkgY74QHhLUCzJSdNCjm-tmS1jBgLLGkmcX0QDRIqmeYWwk2sRKc9AA-vc7nVIWlW8Qj7-XuYplzyv9ELm3D6GSiPuZ-a7KQ/s640/Ornaments.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yesterday,
a couple other girls and I took another trip to the GSPCA to volunteer with the
dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent a couple hours walking
all of them around the adjacent botanical gardens (which is a fancy name for
what it really is: a gated plot that has governmental buildings and a manicured
yard).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d made some more <a href="http://www.bullwrinkle.com/Assets/Recipes/Chicken%20Liver%20Cookies.htm" target="_blank">homemade doggy treats </a>in anticipation of the visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This time they were made from chicken livers and gizzards, which,
incidentally, smell slightly less disgusting than pigs’ feet when boiling on
the stove for a couple hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dogs <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loved</i> them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re hoping to make it back to the shelter
at least one more time before the end of the term.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32kExnOOVSVYUdd89Cyu7LAN2rqycEetZN1xlW2lNxBoBd9nhXjfoVcamfO5z3DEQxDaOEavnsz6-fsTXsVyUjVtmAJzVUqXgUmDU7_WizMZIekeZAl_BvNf-LDnmD97AaIwCaqXUwOk/s1600/IMG_2441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32kExnOOVSVYUdd89Cyu7LAN2rqycEetZN1xlW2lNxBoBd9nhXjfoVcamfO5z3DEQxDaOEavnsz6-fsTXsVyUjVtmAJzVUqXgUmDU7_WizMZIekeZAl_BvNf-LDnmD97AaIwCaqXUwOk/s320/IMG_2441.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's not much counter space to work with when making dog cookies, but I manage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXVJKUeWwS_llHNbaHjtlmit-0Ij5ChS7BVMpb2Yp5wnKHPE8nhQUEtlnbF8NCWEXjhphGcF3euDUihS62U0c-82yzyQA6VjPbGJWg68aNtdkOb5akXCAkJ_AJ0m-e1584TEc1rfM1l4/s1600/GSPCA2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXVJKUeWwS_llHNbaHjtlmit-0Ij5ChS7BVMpb2Yp5wnKHPE8nhQUEtlnbF8NCWEXjhphGcF3euDUihS62U0c-82yzyQA6VjPbGJWg68aNtdkOb5akXCAkJ_AJ0m-e1584TEc1rfM1l4/s320/GSPCA2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I hate
to end on a sad note, but I’m so sad to see some of my friends leaving me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most difficult aspects of being in
this position is making friends with people who are in terms ahead of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. George’s University has a new class
coming in every fall and spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
means people move back to the States and on to Clinicals bi-annually instead of
just annually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So every term, people you’ve
barely formed bonds with have to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Your best hope of seeing them again is if they happen to be moving on to
clinical rotations in the same city as you.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I feel
like I make friends with people here and love getting together with them and
having new experiences side by side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, as the term draws to an end, I have to suddenly accept that my
friends are leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, despite
promises we may try to make, there’s a really good chance I won’t see them
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me be totally frank and banal:
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That sucks</i>.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDn4XXGY2-zC34iVAJ1XGRPnUqnoOZci8GtdfGqC8zgtqGV8K_6pEAfDOX4rmHMVfSBle30LNecjxm-hhB10yQRSTopnRZYoBY5cc_jbQ-34QgE0X_4j9o4EEYlkpyWB9PWe2sPFmHdM/s1600/IMG_3845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDn4XXGY2-zC34iVAJ1XGRPnUqnoOZci8GtdfGqC8zgtqGV8K_6pEAfDOX4rmHMVfSBle30LNecjxm-hhB10yQRSTopnRZYoBY5cc_jbQ-34QgE0X_4j9o4EEYlkpyWB9PWe2sPFmHdM/s320/IMG_3845.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye to Tammy, who is already home, awaiting the arrival of her granddaughter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwerHBhODe4sgTpQfEyd3bn7jhmfQv3vYAlqrcgzqlZW-EN3bSaSFVWZ9ESAI4WxVGIqjyJsCysFsjz1P5GEn2f5rILNCj5Sbks1AbZW-VbWEZ4Uj-Z_bYrnN6dfzpDuvNJMUrtERTzBE/s320/Sarah.jpg" width="213" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye to Sarah, my hash and Crossfit buddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PDPbI_Q8iyl1sieaSPD746fAeZJA2AiOTVdkAhnovGH6rp5Nfzf37v-oGFDzjvrpATunK2V8p7w5vxtSyIDvgXOumMg6nEwnhZtUQflwf_e5QjIHRCpbZOLPxAaiwtkrL8DUyJCOE94/s1600/IMG_6152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PDPbI_Q8iyl1sieaSPD746fAeZJA2AiOTVdkAhnovGH6rp5Nfzf37v-oGFDzjvrpATunK2V8p7w5vxtSyIDvgXOumMg6nEwnhZtUQflwf_e5QjIHRCpbZOLPxAaiwtkrL8DUyJCOE94/s320/IMG_6152.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye to Elli, my awesome friend, who I just met this term and is leaving already. So unfair!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com1Grenada12.1165 -61.67911.8681035 -61.994857 12.3648965 -61.363143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-20086881847371161532012-11-02T12:30:00.001-04:002012-11-02T12:37:38.899-04:00A Trip into Town<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Most
evenings, Ivan and I follow dinner with a walk around campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We try (not always successfully) to drag
along our downstairs neighbor, David, who is happy for the break, when he can
afford it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Towards the end of our walk,
we pass the black sand beach which is west of campus and gated off (with barbed
wire and locks and chains), for what I would assume are safety reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple weeks ago I took my SLR along for
the walk, with the intent of snapping a few pictures of the very full, very
large moon that hung on the horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, by the time we got to the western edge of campus, and an
ideal spot to take a photo, clouds had overtaken the moon and the moment was
lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we walked by the black sand
beach, though, I saw a red hazy spot on the horizon, where the moon’s light
cast a sort of sunset glow from behind the clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went up to the fence, hunkered down and
started taking photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they waited,
Ivan and David began to notice movement in the grass around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turned out, I’d waltzed right into a
whole colony of hermit crabs!</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The glaring
full moon may have dipped out of sight, but I didn’t regret taking my nicer
camera that evening after the opportunity for such funny pictures!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKLwJ-NeV5TOfWPNJN0RsEvdJV1lk2bvRGLysIYACl_GiCNS3b6VnBnHzm_a2nbBs3_bU2z-Rs4-Uns8yUmWQ6ZmHv8rsBsOB96OS50CUpNpBF8dAzJTW0WB7kKpLA6CigCMWEPYcvm4/s1600/IMG_6077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKLwJ-NeV5TOfWPNJN0RsEvdJV1lk2bvRGLysIYACl_GiCNS3b6VnBnHzm_a2nbBs3_bU2z-Rs4-Uns8yUmWQ6ZmHv8rsBsOB96OS50CUpNpBF8dAzJTW0WB7kKpLA6CigCMWEPYcvm4/s320/IMG_6077.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black sand beach and a red moon glare</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On a food
related subject:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last week,
I got together with a couple friends to make<a href="http://food52.com/blog/4717_homemade_tootsie_rolls" target="_blank"> homemade Tootsie Rolls</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, that’s right; I said, homemade Tootsie
Rolls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gwynne provided the place,
utensils and ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kristina
played the part of chef, getting her hands good and dirty while kneading the…
batter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dough?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure what it would be referred to,
perhaps a dough-like batter substance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I bobbed in and out, taking photos.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We rolled
and rolled chunks of our Tootsie Rolls in waxed paper, until we had collapsing
mounds of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the treats were divvied
up and we all took some home with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though not a spot on recreation of the Tootsie Roll we’re all used to, I
will say they were quite delicious and unbelievably addicting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However fun eating them was, making them was
equally enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are so
inclined, I’d recommend having a few friends over to try this recipe out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And if you want to have even more fun,
chocolate martinis would pair very well with your hand-crafted candies.)</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Recently,
Ivan and I tried a new fruit, which is always fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar-apple" target="_blank">sugar apple</a> is a relative of the soursop;
though I found it to be sweeter and less intimidating than its cousin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fruit can be pulled apart easily and each
nub that is peeled off has a chunk of soft fruit attached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it’s relatively simple to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed it and would love to get more but
I swear the stuff is never available!</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last
Saturday, Ivan and I made a trip to St. George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We wanted to hit up the spice market to gather a few odds and ends to
bring home with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also wanted to get
a smoothie from the bakery in the Esplanade Mall because I can’t seem to get
enough smoothies on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we
wanted to have a look around the duty free store in the mall as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(FYI to my fellow Grenada inhabitants—if you
want to get a duty-free item, maybe as a gift, you can do so two days prior to
leaving the country, with proof of your flight.)</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I found my “spice
lady”—that is, the stall at the spice market where I always go—and got a wine
bottle of vanilla extract, two big bags of saffron, a bag of cinnamon, a bag of
whole nutmegs and a bottle of hot sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Walking through the spice market is an interesting experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first time I visited St. George, I was
utterly overwhelmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From every stall,
vendors are calling out to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peddlers
follow you around, pushing their crafts on you, trying to make you hold their
hand-made necklaces or try on the unique bracelets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first visit, frankly, was miserable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now, I think going to the market is
great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s this hectic charm and
energy that is almost festival in nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To save the need to excuse yourself again and again, though, it helps to
visit the market with a specific shopping list in mind and, if you can, a
specific destination list as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Getting waylaid in St. George can cost you money.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJLx5fk6DEyVfkozpoKG51WNwuNKmHtQ-Ojl9o4CQdEmh8l38SV07zSfj47iTIaex2hNw7Mp5S1n3Ue8d3fG7M6jKLg1xXSCAyeAleEzg2FM0mbdj0Io2yei2d2UoOEOIabADXw7jDpA/s1600/IMG_2424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJLx5fk6DEyVfkozpoKG51WNwuNKmHtQ-Ojl9o4CQdEmh8l38SV07zSfj47iTIaex2hNw7Mp5S1n3Ue8d3fG7M6jKLg1xXSCAyeAleEzg2FM0mbdj0Io2yei2d2UoOEOIabADXw7jDpA/s320/IMG_2424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The box of cocoa is just added to compare size (that's a lot of vanilla!)</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just before
heading back to the school, we stepped into the Fish Market, unsure of how much
we’d find so late in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly
tuna and red snapper were all that was left, though trays of small fish were
still being displayed and one fishmonger had Mahi Mahi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We looped in and out of customers before
finding a short line that led to a woman who was hacking away at a fabulous
looking hunk of tuna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was our turn,
I asked for three pounds, cut into smaller portions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obligingly, the woman heaved a slab of pink
meat onto the block in front of her and brought a machete down into it, cutting
halfway through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She picked up a wooden
club and proceeded to beat at the base of the machete’s blade, forcing it
through the rest of the fish until a thick wedge peeled away and slapped
against the slimy wooden cutting board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our vendor tossed the chunk onto a scale before cutting it into smaller
portions and bagging it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan mentioned
quietly that we should freeze the fish thoroughly before cooking it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked over the blood- and mucus-covered
work area, porous and stained wooden club, old machete, and the scales that
stuck to our fishmonger’s thick, glossy forearms as she took my money and
returned a damp handful of change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes,
I agreed with Ivan’s sentiment.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tonight I intend to
cook up some of that tuna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I intend
to enjoy it.</span>Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com1Grenada12.1165 -61.67911.8681035 -61.994857 12.3648965 -61.363143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-80097634978690131322012-10-21T17:26:00.000-04:002012-10-21T17:43:19.026-04:00Chocolate Factory: Take Two<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have
to say, this week has been exhausting and since I am writing this on Sunday and
have just about run out of stamina, I am going to skip wordy introductions and
just dive in with a blow-by-blow report. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Excuse the lack of long and pretty
descriptions: I am pooped.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
preparation for a trip to the Grenada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (GSPCA), I spent a few hours on Tuesday cooking up some homemade doggy
biscuits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In anticipation of making said
treats, I’d bought a Styrofoam tray of pigs’ feet that weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t actually picked out my recipe yet,
so I didn’t have a list of ingredients, but assumed pigs’ feet could work their
way into the dish somehow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The recipe I
used (<a href="http://www.bullwrinkle.com/Assets/Recipes/Wheat%20Dog%20Biscuits.htm" target="_blank">Wheat Dog Biscuits</a> from <a href="http://www.bullwrinkle.com/Assets/Recipes/Recipes.htm" target="_blank">Bullwrinkle</a>) called for water or broth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I boiled a pan full of pigs’ feet for a
couple hours and used the broth for the recipe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My apartment smelled like boiling lard, but those dogs <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loved</i> the bite-sized bits I brought to
the shelter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I think I might rename the
recipe “Babe Bites” since our dog, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/minephotomobile/7366741806/" target="_blank">Babe</a>, was named after the pig and I’m pretty
sure she’d also <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i> these biscuits.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ2PNfCY3ygoJhA2QS4bjLx8BFs_8LRmBeQGoQN0ympoutY1pM63t_2fy0zdyTCmdJUH2fopwaQAoQT-_lZD35MxOct1Zhd6rGwS7lSA6MF-y7tsN-HcbxD95hpv70mH9dS3HUHaJc-w/s1600/Pig+Feet+Treat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ2PNfCY3ygoJhA2QS4bjLx8BFs_8LRmBeQGoQN0ympoutY1pM63t_2fy0zdyTCmdJUH2fopwaQAoQT-_lZD35MxOct1Zhd6rGwS7lSA6MF-y7tsN-HcbxD95hpv70mH9dS3HUHaJc-w/s320/Pig+Feet+Treat.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The shelter
visit was sort of an orientation for a handful of SOs, to give us an idea of
how we can be of service to the GSPCA and to familiarize us with the shelter’s
layout and policies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d been both
excited and anxious to visit the shelter, hopeful that I could help Grenada’s
suffering pet population, but equally nervous about what sort of dismal state
the shelter might be in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d only my own
experience working for years at a well-funded <a href="http://humanesocietyofnwpa.com/" target="_blank">Humane Society</a> back in the States
to compare and knew I was in for an unpleasant shock.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Surprisingly,
the shelter wasn’t that unpleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
went there anticipating the worst of the worst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fact is, in this very <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i>
poor country, there is an animal shelter that receives adequate funding (via
private donations) to provide for the animals it takes in, gives medical
attention to sick and injured strays, offers low-cost (or free) vaccinations
and sterilizations to homeless animals as well as pets in the community and educates
citizens about caring for their animals.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
honestly can’t say that the GSPCA was significantly worse than some shelters I’ve
seen in the States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They battle the same
problems also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pets typically only stand
a chance if they are small, healthy, cute and, preferably, still babies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even so, the adult, skittish dogs with patchy
hair growth that are overcoming mange are at the very least given shelter,
food, medication and attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same
cannot be said of most dogs you’ll run into, whether strays or owned.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZNbvLzUw9_CNH5SyrDlT5tS18gH-18CMbjnTCE5Qxc6viJytgxYlPXi-AfsfQkYC5CQNkFqd1jUFDj6S11SeVE9pI-4Et4BUplSsy5oVyMaWL_QzLAoqslvUqYLBCXRbuSMdyK2Kt48/s1600/GSPCA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZNbvLzUw9_CNH5SyrDlT5tS18gH-18CMbjnTCE5Qxc6viJytgxYlPXi-AfsfQkYC5CQNkFqd1jUFDj6S11SeVE9pI-4Et4BUplSsy5oVyMaWL_QzLAoqslvUqYLBCXRbuSMdyK2Kt48/s320/GSPCA.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I went
to Bellmont Estates again, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg for that
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The SO Social Coordinators organized
an island tour trip, which included a visit to Pearls Airport, the cocoa
plantation, Rivers Antoine Rum distillery and Grand Etang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A stop at one of the northern beaches was on
the schedule, but wasn’t included due to rainy weather.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoMv7X9jGFQunn8z7LaBvLgbrvQpPu6Ux8DFn-p-dYPO1ogj72oILTWWAcw9M2eioqyp_UFeC_BxWIS2EIQs43XZ591PWPWP-zqSmmfU3xg2TJ9QHaGPlCBRM_Gesgf4ogbZ823LegFE/s1600/Belmont+Pearls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoMv7X9jGFQunn8z7LaBvLgbrvQpPu6Ux8DFn-p-dYPO1ogj72oILTWWAcw9M2eioqyp_UFeC_BxWIS2EIQs43XZ591PWPWP-zqSmmfU3xg2TJ9QHaGPlCBRM_Gesgf4ogbZ823LegFE/s320/Belmont+Pearls.jpg" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearls cow, Belmont bell, chocolate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
visits to Pearls and Belmont were much as they were in the past: old plane, cows,
cow pies, chocolate, tour, more chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The visit to Rivers was new for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two weeks ago, when I <a href="http://allisonawayfromhome.blogspot.com/2012/10/visiting-chocolate-factory.html" target="_blank">went to Belmont with the Photography Club</a>, we
tried also stopping at the distillery, but it was closed that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So extra excited was I to be touring the
distillery with my SLR camera, I took every care to photograph the many nooks
and crannies, and totally missed the tour itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re reading this and looking forward to
photos, no problem, friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want
some historical insight regarding Rivers Antoine Rum Distillery or the
distilling process in general, may I recommend <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distillation" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>?</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Wd8Xv_KVv6LOEAu6T5R46VpnCy_nT3N0M9RkS6wVXaZJpfEk1Yklv6CqMYrJacmnHv3Q3eopFh8QXnabUAHNmzvyAgVrE6v23txWYfCuwSW5vhuwSMBIg4Vdi7KFfqqFsrCCdM0C1k0/s1600/IMG_6206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Wd8Xv_KVv6LOEAu6T5R46VpnCy_nT3N0M9RkS6wVXaZJpfEk1Yklv6CqMYrJacmnHv3Q3eopFh8QXnabUAHNmzvyAgVrE6v23txWYfCuwSW5vhuwSMBIg4Vdi7KFfqqFsrCCdM0C1k0/s320/IMG_6206.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rivers Rum mama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1s4nBBCz23uAQYOyIbJgc96Zq91-ME6EmdADQgv8YuCMo6r3oljr1pfOd0BFVy1uaJg9GiBoo1n-nhqKSNChqKAOYEXp0ibCKYYL5cW2QCj-r_SFES-RaSLxBv0BHdN0APL9vNWt7E8/s1600/IMG_6281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1s4nBBCz23uAQYOyIbJgc96Zq91-ME6EmdADQgv8YuCMo6r3oljr1pfOd0BFVy1uaJg9GiBoo1n-nhqKSNChqKAOYEXp0ibCKYYL5cW2QCj-r_SFES-RaSLxBv0BHdN0APL9vNWt7E8/s320/IMG_6281.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar cane and river water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau726yg5DUEREhNV2O-dNMcwV3qocqVAPfBe60SQ0GocsTGFQNyWBe6Hs04052jXs9eC3MHUQxygVw-U58QazbbmwS4qOtBo10unthKf2jhhoeXaLwzall-p6LGKddF_16NytFFxmjKQ/s1600/IMG_6317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau726yg5DUEREhNV2O-dNMcwV3qocqVAPfBe60SQ0GocsTGFQNyWBe6Hs04052jXs9eC3MHUQxygVw-U58QazbbmwS4qOtBo10unthKf2jhhoeXaLwzall-p6LGKddF_16NytFFxmjKQ/s320/IMG_6317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>From my
(inexpert) experience, the distillery smelled like a huge vat of molasses and
looked like a swampy breeding ground for the most wretched bacteria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grounds were a veritable mound of sugarcane,
save the narrow driveway that precariously cut through mountains and mountains
of honey-yellow rods of sugarcane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
waterwheel, towering over the roof of the distillery and black against the grey
sky, rotated with the rush of water (perhaps water from the river Antoine?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe part of the charm of Rivers is its
continued use of an antiquated system (i.e. the in-use waterwheel).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RHsqWS5IAfOY8RH8PNHoo9RUcyfGTz_hNu15ZGPjAQrI2saF6l6k4PQWor_hs692SNgXUq4To0VhUA2b3ER1tRUHIW-REg_NC46uoV5tdve3nfks3eXQ-uJmQ0icNk-SQtg4AGFuZcE/s1600/IMG_6312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RHsqWS5IAfOY8RH8PNHoo9RUcyfGTz_hNu15ZGPjAQrI2saF6l6k4PQWor_hs692SNgXUq4To0VhUA2b3ER1tRUHIW-REg_NC46uoV5tdve3nfks3eXQ-uJmQ0icNk-SQtg4AGFuZcE/s320/IMG_6312.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first stages of your Captain 'n' Coke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfa5fFxQt5M5fCjbvILL6Hibi2mzUtCmZz30BvezfLftwtKwG96-zWeJITNEx-FLQ-UqH7TbxSsbOzGd-VpRIKq9dF8YXvIgbjBn2zxbHZyT8eqBiMBSnvVAAzMW6LzPvalxs38J9vyI/s1600/IMG_6321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfa5fFxQt5M5fCjbvILL6Hibi2mzUtCmZz30BvezfLftwtKwG96-zWeJITNEx-FLQ-UqH7TbxSsbOzGd-VpRIKq9dF8YXvIgbjBn2zxbHZyT8eqBiMBSnvVAAzMW6LzPvalxs38J9vyI/s320/IMG_6321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP2Jsruk7O3NwtxnMkPlIxtQ6GGS2KVi3NVk51HrFRgTGHlINzYo8kLjVa8VS4-bC0-hbdL4zfXHUh42JCDjcN0bsSIdzKBa0yxhx0SsuyIcMMs_1VnUm1lLMn2ce1J7Qj4aQyOFe0MM/s1600/IMG_6325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP2Jsruk7O3NwtxnMkPlIxtQ6GGS2KVi3NVk51HrFRgTGHlINzYo8kLjVa8VS4-bC0-hbdL4zfXHUh42JCDjcN0bsSIdzKBa0yxhx0SsuyIcMMs_1VnUm1lLMn2ce1J7Qj4aQyOFe0MM/s320/IMG_6325.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At some point it becomes more rummy and less sludgy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVMXC8kvx67JFLzQA9joXHpxFlZIhwtaMAKSE0ssaCKeoOYGUyy8MLkpPTYGo06Gzaamw1feQmTYx_G4FRQdOoYwPOamvV6s_w_JMcUf5phITWuWJFD2FHe96V6-BhJx1i5M5kSy-7pM/s1600/IMG_6345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVMXC8kvx67JFLzQA9joXHpxFlZIhwtaMAKSE0ssaCKeoOYGUyy8MLkpPTYGo06Gzaamw1feQmTYx_G4FRQdOoYwPOamvV6s_w_JMcUf5phITWuWJFD2FHe96V6-BhJx1i5M5kSy-7pM/s320/IMG_6345.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No kidding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
the tour—at least I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">think</i> the tour
was over, though, I wasn’t paying attention—we used a pavilion at the
distillery to have our lunch and relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During
our respite, one of our social coordinators was approached by a Rivers
worker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently someone had caught a “big
fish” nearby and a few workers were going to have a look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were asking for a photographer to join
them (though they may have just thought a photographer would <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">like</i> to join them, not that they needed
one).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was on my feet immediately,
anticipating having to fight for this opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turns out, the crazy gene that leads to
my rash decisions isn’t shared by everyone, despite my obvious
expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gwynne offered to join me
on my journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told it was about
a two-minute drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That may have been
true, but we didn’t drive.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gwynne
and I followed a worker as he led us east, through fields of sugarcane, along a
muddy drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hit the end of the road
and curved around some palm trees to hop around nets of vines and glossy green
leaves, grazing cows watching us uninterestedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept my head low and my arms folded over my
camera, keeping the rain from directly striking it, though everything was wet
and dripping by that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hit the
beach then and trudged on across the packed, wet sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t see anyone ahead of us, through the
fog, who might be the fisherman I’d anticipated meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Gwynne called out, “Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at it!”</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe9L7E9bkywyM-TyX-900sGobnqqc3gPpA_eRhKzK4qIS8FXTNGfGLlmIEYlXdpkYS3XQjRlN1ZELPx9WrjmWyLvb1oAZOKp8_J0zPM-Nc4EmL4Bo_QYIVnhiJ24Wsm_J-9T6BJ5eOIc/s1600/IMG_6424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEe9L7E9bkywyM-TyX-900sGobnqqc3gPpA_eRhKzK4qIS8FXTNGfGLlmIEYlXdpkYS3XQjRlN1ZELPx9WrjmWyLvb1oAZOKp8_J0zPM-Nc4EmL4Bo_QYIVnhiJ24Wsm_J-9T6BJ5eOIc/s320/IMG_6424.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’d
practically tripped over the thing, and how, I don’t know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was huge, laying solitarily in the sand,
no fisherman (or anyone for that matter) nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We circled it and slowly the pieces lost in
translation began to fall into place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was no fisherman because this was not a fish and it had not been
caught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A young <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_sperm_whale" target="_blank">pygmy sperm whale</a> had beached
itself very recently and died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around
its head bloomed a pool of blood, creeping outward in veins beneath the sand,
then spreading like inkblots on wet paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Beneath the whale’s open mouth I saw a number of stringy white worms,
wriggling into the ebbing ocean waters that frothed at the edge of the pooling
blood.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy4UTvdy0LUvs_OAT9mgljCg5koXwU_y78BzNECUGsGm-TaR8c-acQ6xAtqDHHl3Fz73hpS2XG9J-6Uft7ddxsUBTvL4wDS69IXOJtutbcSS4dcn8hgDmPjEkK7lvMx-fSw4mIh1EmJ4/s1600/IMG_6405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy4UTvdy0LUvs_OAT9mgljCg5koXwU_y78BzNECUGsGm-TaR8c-acQ6xAtqDHHl3Fz73hpS2XG9J-6Uft7ddxsUBTvL4wDS69IXOJtutbcSS4dcn8hgDmPjEkK7lvMx-fSw4mIh1EmJ4/s320/IMG_6405.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OAmggp30g1c0yD8lts9DCpBM0hOq_4SKSS7bqZ8ijCvGiFPlnwnqG-oNoZMg7ZsSP-WFUq5BkgwMey2kAL-JOobCljGg-_Bpp2XyOIFaXkFtFJneIU_uzVbdhWQMPIep0LBwYc724yI/s1600/IMG_6420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4OAmggp30g1c0yD8lts9DCpBM0hOq_4SKSS7bqZ8ijCvGiFPlnwnqG-oNoZMg7ZsSP-WFUq5BkgwMey2kAL-JOobCljGg-_Bpp2XyOIFaXkFtFJneIU_uzVbdhWQMPIep0LBwYc724yI/s320/IMG_6420.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing us the blowhole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More
Rivers workers arrived with a tractor hauling a truck bed on a hydraulic
lift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whale was inedible, having
died without mortal injuries and beached itself, but it was something of a
trophy, nonetheless, and half a dozen men intended to take it back to the
distillery for purposes unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
they had limited means with which to transport said trophy from point A (sandy
beach) to point B (rum distillery).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everything looked very promising when the guys pulled up in their
tractor, but there was still the issue of lifting a several-hundred-pounds
whale to the truck bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And however
impressive the bed and tractor looked, they were first and foremost meant to
haul loads of sugarcane from the fields to the distillery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not equipped with a winch, which is
exactly what was needed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKRaqv4mDEMBMhF1tmL26NJWA99PzKFzCJfe-HgWUnZlsxpEHl2gCd0KgWh00Vwq6OLowx4MDdexwcx9eJPz_YHZzp-AXLDdu18giS1f8k4nVNLN5GnwJ0a-I964xmJE8ljXecx7uavU/s1600/IMG_6452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKRaqv4mDEMBMhF1tmL26NJWA99PzKFzCJfe-HgWUnZlsxpEHl2gCd0KgWh00Vwq6OLowx4MDdexwcx9eJPz_YHZzp-AXLDdu18giS1f8k4nVNLN5GnwJ0a-I964xmJE8ljXecx7uavU/s320/IMG_6452.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>True to
the resourceful nature of the locals, the workers used what was at hand to
achieve their goal—namely, bare hands and brute strength and a well-placed rod
of bamboo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very little of what they
barked out to each other was intelligible to Gwynne or me and I think a couple
of the men were tossing around some creole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being on the fringe of all the excitement, and not playing a key role,
understanding what was being said was not important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took my pictures and watched closely the
gestures of the men as they directed one another and understood what their
intentions were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When, finally, they
wedged the bamboo beneath the whale and heaved, and the ship rope tied to its
tailfins was led over the pivotal edge of the truck bed, being leveraged by yet
another worker, and with a final lunge of wet boots in slick, red grass, the whale
was dragged onto the bed, Gwynne and I broke into applause, only just realizing
how captivated we were by the whole event and letting loose our pent up breaths
of relief with all the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
workers turned to us and laughed and smiled, pleased as they were with their
own hard work and our recognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
broke apart then, three hopping on the tractor and the others climbing into the
bed of the truck, admiring the whale anew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our investment in the process dissipated and I looked to Gwynne and
asked, “Should we walk back, then?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
tractor driver hollered back to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
couldn’t understand what he said, but knew his gesture: we should get in the
truck bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the rain still falling
and the adrenaline slowly slipping away, I didn’t need told twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I clambered up the rusty railing and moved up
to the front of the bed where Gwynne and I took our positions, riding back to
the distillery, oddly proud of what we hadn’t accomplished ourselves, but had
witnessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I was guaranteed this sort
of cultural experience every time I travelled, I would never stop.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDeYYp5tSreg9360sXCjCWWHlU_ESxgn-mO8mOyEXnf3UAR7mie4bdmPlJduoqmg5k2Giw8xPxrHmrlFLT1qyRGAsQiA8uNrYhLaLvDCrjFO_x2kkA_7TWDXsdZ9FkAaUQblnikW-KPc/s1600/IMG_6460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDeYYp5tSreg9360sXCjCWWHlU_ESxgn-mO8mOyEXnf3UAR7mie4bdmPlJduoqmg5k2Giw8xPxrHmrlFLT1qyRGAsQiA8uNrYhLaLvDCrjFO_x2kkA_7TWDXsdZ9FkAaUQblnikW-KPc/s320/IMG_6460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbYaH6oozfir0KOGly0z_FMp_kI7PhKXfoHtU_y6IiTan7pGZ8WcTCU7mf8eJEilpHtu5xybwTm63yOdAaVbf-GJm0d6EQ4h2ybuY-yla0_aWk11RkL9dmiC9d5MpseyVET67Nw-0EyE/s1600/IMG_6468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbYaH6oozfir0KOGly0z_FMp_kI7PhKXfoHtU_y6IiTan7pGZ8WcTCU7mf8eJEilpHtu5xybwTm63yOdAaVbf-GJm0d6EQ4h2ybuY-yla0_aWk11RkL9dmiC9d5MpseyVET67Nw-0EyE/s320/IMG_6468.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view on the way back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My tour
could have ended there and I would have been perfectly happy, but we had one
more stop to make before going back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went to Grand Etang to visit the Mona Monkeys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two weeks ago we visited, but had no bananas,
so the monkeys were reluctant to come near us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This time we arrived at the same time as a tourist who just so happened
to have a whole bunch of bananas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
graciously shared them with us and we were able to draw the monkeys right next
to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, one large monkey climbed
on me at least twice in order to get closer to the tourist and his
bananas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s surprising to see how
unperturbed the monkeys are by humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hesitate to call them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wild</i> since they
are very nearly domesticated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, they
live in the jungle and could, I imagine, survive without the constant edible
gifts from tourists.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ivan—and
the rest of the second term class—finished midterms last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Ivan did superbly.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a little celebration, we had dinner at De
Big Fish on Friday with some friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
hadn’t been to the restaurant since last term and were looking forward to
Friday’s special: Catch of the Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
got there only to find out that they’d sold out of the special already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we got the Hot Mambo pizza, cheeseburger
with jalapenos and French fries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh
boy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mind you, our eyes were watering from all of
the spiciness and we stuffed ourselves beyond belief before finally getting a
to-go box for half of the pizza, but there’s no way to beat good food and good
friends after a long, exhausting week.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wait,
did that last paragraph sound like our long exhausting week had ended?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not quite right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday was<a href="http://grenadahash.com/home" target="_blank"> Grenada Hash House Harriers</a>’
750<sup>th</sup> hash—a cause for celebration and one heck of a hash!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The venue this week was La Sagesse, a beautiful
gem of a beach and nature center (I’m not sure how the second half is applied
here, I’ve never visited a nature center there).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were, technically, five trails, to accommodate
every hasher, from the very fit to the less motivated: The Executive Trail
(0.0001 mi.—from the sign to the bar—for the motivated drinker); The Namby
Pamby Trail (0.75 mi.—for the unhurried sightseer); The Walkers’ Trail (3 mi.—for
those who want a light sweat and some lovely views); The Runners’ Trail (7 mi.—for
the motivated and dedicated fit hashers); The Iron Man (8.5 mi.—for the
suicidal and marginally insane).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan
and I paired with a couple friends (<a href="http://thisliving.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Cayley and Nick</a>) and went for the suicide
trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hash started at 3 PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun sets just before 6 PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had three hours to complete 8.5 miles
through unknown and likely dangerous terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On! On!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzet5Jc7czniC4gYhJqYzgSAaY13sdPe9NI9Etz4TD5XRwuHdAfu7dZc7ODH2TLU5s-VaMl9CyurbwnjLgBY7s6iXB-9WJbNRgc9qo6TkdzEUHqZdafuiVMIteSgtrVxm05gp_XkrJrmI/s1600/IMG_2308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzet5Jc7czniC4gYhJqYzgSAaY13sdPe9NI9Etz4TD5XRwuHdAfu7dZc7ODH2TLU5s-VaMl9CyurbwnjLgBY7s6iXB-9WJbNRgc9qo6TkdzEUHqZdafuiVMIteSgtrVxm05gp_XkrJrmI/s320/IMG_2308.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivan, Veronica and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The hash
started on the beach, then we broke away from the shore and ran through some
lightly wooded areas and fields before winding up on a dirt road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I use the term “dirt” lightly
since it was mostly a rock road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan
and I use <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fila-Skele-Toes-EZ-Slide-Castlerock/dp/B004LT40FM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350855747&sr=8-1&keywords=fila+skeletoes" target="_blank">Fila Skeletoes</a> for the hashes (for those unfamiliar, they are a
cheaper version of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vibram-Fivefingers-Komodosport-Running-Shoes/dp/B007FCOXMC/ref=sr_1_1?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1350855781&sr=1-1&keywords=vibram+fivefingers" target="_blank">Vibram’s Fivefingers</a>), which work like a charm in the usual
mud, muck, dirt and water terrains, but are not so comfortable when used for
running on hard surfaces like asphalt, concrete or rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was pretty relieved when we took a hard
turn into the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naturally the “path”
was an unreasonably steep descent and I relied entirely on the numerous skinny
trees and vines as handholds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there
our trail continued up sudden climbs and down abrupt hills where you have the
option of lunging forward, hoping your foot doesn’t catch on a root or a rock,
or inching slowly and taking the chance of losing control entirely, before
tumbling forward.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Always
we had to keep in mind the passage of time and gauge, as accurately as
possible, the distance we’d covered, the distance remaining, and our average
pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the terrain allowed it, we
ran, skipping over rocks and fallen branches, our eyes so trained on the ground
that when we’d finally lift them, we’d find ourselves staring down a cow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Past midway, we reached a fork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sign directed individuals who were
willing to swim one way and those who wished to remain somewhat dry (minus the
gallons of sweat we were sloughing off in our clothes) another way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took to the swimming trail: On! On!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboRITsz_hR17zAga4RlpVKwKWjqFG4JgilqHmxN8Z6MCpEl76yMHZPCIFW-RDlh47F-s80_40tDD0zfBu-aQyoqoNk0BQjGFMGQgQG-Dt2yTS9u57qWQ-jg8P5tdtTpHbZzmaT-_ffc4/s1600/IMG_2320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboRITsz_hR17zAga4RlpVKwKWjqFG4JgilqHmxN8Z6MCpEl76yMHZPCIFW-RDlh47F-s80_40tDD0zfBu-aQyoqoNk0BQjGFMGQgQG-Dt2yTS9u57qWQ-jg8P5tdtTpHbZzmaT-_ffc4/s320/IMG_2320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Prior to
beginning the hash, the hare (person who set the trail) told us the water reached
his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was, by no means, a
giant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t say he was short
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I figured I’d be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We reached the shore and saw that we’d be wading
around a cliff and on for about a hundred yards (maybe just shy of).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all very doable, except that the water
was murky, neck deep, and there were large obstacles in the ocean floor, namely
giant rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I held our bags
over our heads as we trudged forward, moving in slow motion through the calm
and warm waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here and there, one in
our party would drop a few inches with a little splash and call out, “Rock!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But overall we crossed without issues and
emerged, wet, gross and a little wobbly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet we ran on.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>By that
point we didn’t have much farther to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was 5:20 when we got out of the water and the sky was already getting
dark, so we pushed on, running through dense bushes of thorns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first we warned each other: “Prickers on
your left!” but gave up when we realized we’d run headlong into a field of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no avoiding it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On and on we ran until we could hear the
telltale bass of hash music pumping through the woods and echoing against the
cliffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Night was steadily falling when
we saw the sign: On In! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It meant we’d
made it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hurried the last tenth of a
mile or so, slipping through a narrow trail in the forest until we finally
emerged, filthy, wet, sweaty and so tired, but proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finished the Iron Man trail!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZoyZpnX8UlGO2VEpfIcvj2cjjjDeWWh5iCaUp5hAPPDpH0yc5i5_mhL_L-dNY5Ffm-QO-ezti42Uvl5ZnaBB2n89VOPV11LDKzhzCuNqhZGpO-2XtL-Fr_erIeN0Qir769VhQFCRU60/s1600/IMG_2305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZoyZpnX8UlGO2VEpfIcvj2cjjjDeWWh5iCaUp5hAPPDpH0yc5i5_mhL_L-dNY5Ffm-QO-ezti42Uvl5ZnaBB2n89VOPV11LDKzhzCuNqhZGpO-2XtL-Fr_erIeN0Qir769VhQFCRU60/s320/IMG_2305.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hash music speakers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoSrTIxSaFYW0wtd8i5mdDDK4Z29KPjaOkoJZjmMs2su76-DKTv3AoVnAp3_u5yKGemcXvr8S1ApeLRp1UmNWw10kA2k_snkBU5ZAtXQ7c9GrwkLn9prKhmSGrRAI9pQY10TkXE2u0yE/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoSrTIxSaFYW0wtd8i5mdDDK4Z29KPjaOkoJZjmMs2su76-DKTv3AoVnAp3_u5yKGemcXvr8S1ApeLRp1UmNWw10kA2k_snkBU5ZAtXQ7c9GrwkLn9prKhmSGrRAI9pQY10TkXE2u0yE/s320/IMG_2322.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About a mile or so to go--not a flattering photo of anyone, but hey! This is tough stuff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ivan and
I took off our shoes and I could already feel the raw strips on my heels and
soft spots on the balls of my feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
both jumped in the sea, letting the water wash our scraped legs and tender
feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate and collapsed on the beach
before getting a ride home where we took a proper shower before collapsing once
again in bed.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
morning, Ivan’s arms and legs are covered in tiny scrapes and scabs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My feet are nothing but blisters and bruises
and my legs are also scraped and bruised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re sore and tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, above
all, we had a blast and I’d do it again in a heartbeat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Just as soon as I heal.)</div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67911.8681035 -61.994857 12.3648965 -61.363143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-50111314712391423032012-10-14T08:16:00.000-04:002012-10-14T08:16:38.293-04:00Visiting the Chocolate Factory<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I spend a
considerable amount of time at our desk, writing, painting, surfing, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I take momentary breaks from whatever
I’m engrossed in, I usually end up looking out our back window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not a bad view; in between the
intersecting branches of our “backyard’s” few trees, I can see True Blue Bay
and the flashy indigo corner of Dodgy Dock, nestled against a backdrop of
modest mountains and the heavy clouds that skim their peaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I have the misfortune of casting my eyes
lower and spotting the ever-present lurker who likes to haunt the bench in our
backyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s an SGU worker—and I use
the term loosely—a Grenadian with an SGU maintenance uniform and Rasta
hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For hours he just lounges on that
bench with his shirt spread open and a great heap of flesh spilling out.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelZFCbZX4HK9zUhXigWC2K8A0ZQ8wo87-k9X2RiDCjL9Q7ktt3NPKTg5bnugT2agXyqqb0Y2UBSqaoRF_Rz-8blHIncqUHSR7S87oD1vGMvbk-DYm9XOdYtdhvFCMuP2tNDmrmJIR-YA/s1600/Trouser+Creeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelZFCbZX4HK9zUhXigWC2K8A0ZQ8wo87-k9X2RiDCjL9Q7ktt3NPKTg5bnugT2agXyqqb0Y2UBSqaoRF_Rz-8blHIncqUHSR7S87oD1vGMvbk-DYm9XOdYtdhvFCMuP2tNDmrmJIR-YA/s400/Trouser+Creeper.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each picture was taken on a different day. I feel like I want his job...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last Sunday
I went on a field trip with the photography club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main attraction was Belmont Estates,
though we also stopped at Pearls Airport and drove through Grand Etang to visit
the monkeys’ hangout.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFWnkmeZLCf4P_O42KDTamntmCwuqpxThqY55Tbhq_4Pz7aS2xhw74NM57ok1z2eusPyixpqYzcyuqLloKCpvJYycWI03Y9hBHih2Au2p0XcONp6EAMkx6Kn2s3JuUv5HTPhAubX5yww/s1600/IMG_5949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFWnkmeZLCf4P_O42KDTamntmCwuqpxThqY55Tbhq_4Pz7aS2xhw74NM57ok1z2eusPyixpqYzcyuqLloKCpvJYycWI03Y9hBHih2Au2p0XcONp6EAMkx6Kn2s3JuUv5HTPhAubX5yww/s320/IMG_5949.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCUTstRIq1-aSVLb5bPQtKTmmOYLUL6Kq9cONHPtFAtJu-3C0Jxgh62qY4j6cHCIPMtcPnJjJRa18_BEtj3x6fNtTnp39qxita-zRJ9ap6J_tWfGL8UmjlncNgb9qQXn5bP_N_0CLwRI/s1600/IMG_5956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCUTstRIq1-aSVLb5bPQtKTmmOYLUL6Kq9cONHPtFAtJu-3C0Jxgh62qY4j6cHCIPMtcPnJjJRa18_BEtj3x6fNtTnp39qxita-zRJ9ap6J_tWfGL8UmjlncNgb9qQXn5bP_N_0CLwRI/s320/IMG_5956.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAPDlMjucq7Xv0qxynGpECKt8peP_LzqgUEoMDcqDTiq_IR5eVIhruLI7AcM6Bm91bhDYIypltMXnd-EKhXYGBCDEXiMLRp1NhVe9TSdReRJK15ltm46zkUUwYnLyYzK7DZ5BF7uEFX8/s1600/IMG_5967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAPDlMjucq7Xv0qxynGpECKt8peP_LzqgUEoMDcqDTiq_IR5eVIhruLI7AcM6Bm91bhDYIypltMXnd-EKhXYGBCDEXiMLRp1NhVe9TSdReRJK15ltm46zkUUwYnLyYzK7DZ5BF7uEFX8/s320/IMG_5967.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think they were disappointed that no one brought bananas for them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have to
say that this trip to Belmont was much better than my last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, they were actually expecting us,
so they had the whole tour planned out and samples prepared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited the birds and the monkeys and,
while the rest of the group was enjoying their (rather expensive) buffet-style
lunch, Natalie and I got to visit with Carl, the goat, and Chocolate and
Vanilla, the donkeys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the whole
photography club was there, I didn’t feel awkward about living behind my
camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were basically a group of walking
shutterbugs.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAEuzSTEmatj_9FUt3nkpY3KtLti2V5ylYhA_KbmW45lbNOLkVpAIBLlx5tJXyh6gtb_rXRTQ_rLvlgZ3xKOaqnCguB_P2-oyCGc0BHb8TU96t7vL_2wi5jWibMURlm638ragTvT4XZQ/s1600/IMG_5403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAEuzSTEmatj_9FUt3nkpY3KtLti2V5ylYhA_KbmW45lbNOLkVpAIBLlx5tJXyh6gtb_rXRTQ_rLvlgZ3xKOaqnCguB_P2-oyCGc0BHb8TU96t7vL_2wi5jWibMURlm638ragTvT4XZQ/s320/IMG_5403.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First stop: Pearls Airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSi6ceWI73vEm-4PxKiGvC4C8FRc2H66RJwv4bMCN_dVLfk6DAPCHlvfgx7jFCAPZ5KbY5SNWVzWXIUY0elTdSGVLalfoAEsXJm7aPsSxyTllTKJLE2bNpLkStevvE3PZVo4kspiSnqpk/s1600/IMG_5474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSi6ceWI73vEm-4PxKiGvC4C8FRc2H66RJwv4bMCN_dVLfk6DAPCHlvfgx7jFCAPZ5KbY5SNWVzWXIUY0elTdSGVLalfoAEsXJm7aPsSxyTllTKJLE2bNpLkStevvE3PZVo4kspiSnqpk/s320/IMG_5474.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh cocoa beans to sample</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0ipy_JKDtTplEH3kf6eyUYhTUpilLOGV3yJxKjS5BxODN-J_kiYH6B0B9E6yuKhYqoT39uj2hm7-hspCM57S0Ksxsg224nR0sv_XISKVjA8lsC7by5y9ehZoYYEzVIdsLcIGUUGpI1E/s1600/IMG_5506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0ipy_JKDtTplEH3kf6eyUYhTUpilLOGV3yJxKjS5BxODN-J_kiYH6B0B9E6yuKhYqoT39uj2hm7-hspCM57S0Ksxsg224nR0sv_XISKVjA8lsC7by5y9ehZoYYEzVIdsLcIGUUGpI1E/s320/IMG_5506.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried cocoa bean</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bellmont kitty</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the turtles at Bellmont's "petting zoo" area</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the adolescent monkeys reaching out for rocks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Mona Monkeys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDfSv5jFS2U-eBMOXsHJ4Ily7JxtDLC_5k5nZdLiDto1fCLd9E18bfCiPWBr6da2MCDrTTyC-gCSfASCQHNZLs8KxZKckLanM9J8mTUrt_TZGyYErtdWOXbhwTKJZaMLWsZBaELs4SDI/s1600/IMG_5800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDfSv5jFS2U-eBMOXsHJ4Ily7JxtDLC_5k5nZdLiDto1fCLd9E18bfCiPWBr6da2MCDrTTyC-gCSfASCQHNZLs8KxZKckLanM9J8mTUrt_TZGyYErtdWOXbhwTKJZaMLWsZBaELs4SDI/s320/IMG_5800.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanilla, the donkey</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkjOfSbihkOqfDmt5K3J3WX8NqQG2_BmRUKH4swL08POUgPjn0-QRXPu_muVvXdIPHtKGcQXo-vvzHmzr-B2NmIJMgfY9A_krlAkV7YNYt9YWUCJotMiGcDmUGAKu_QF76zinFsvhCQM/s1600/IMG_5816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkjOfSbihkOqfDmt5K3J3WX8NqQG2_BmRUKH4swL08POUgPjn0-QRXPu_muVvXdIPHtKGcQXo-vvzHmzr-B2NmIJMgfY9A_krlAkV7YNYt9YWUCJotMiGcDmUGAKu_QF76zinFsvhCQM/s320/IMG_5816.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate, the donkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZwJe5pIiVB5GzfUGeIcMeSt1y1tc7riTqViRDQIpy-prCzG8C9kY7hUsg1b8wGpdATfwJ-dp8X7lyqQ33lHVR9NMWe03gEq-QC89jYHk7wfkKAwtW9Kuh7hN114DQl9KuRS4Y15Y5wA/s1600/IMG_5902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZwJe5pIiVB5GzfUGeIcMeSt1y1tc7riTqViRDQIpy-prCzG8C9kY7hUsg1b8wGpdATfwJ-dp8X7lyqQ33lHVR9NMWe03gEq-QC89jYHk7wfkKAwtW9Kuh7hN114DQl9KuRS4Y15Y5wA/s320/IMG_5902.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl, the goat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6gGNKIMi8bR13RPW47Uvyqb-H4iz3Kt2shSZHYqVNA50_aMkkGrxtP3LlGSfqmTYnF8RgzzZg2rZ3kojqghLu1E4y1icGYsynOCrwYGSsvBwVB4eQmEruRIxZyz7-rUb4PZ-5sxBwOc/s1600/IMG_5921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6gGNKIMi8bR13RPW47Uvyqb-H4iz3Kt2shSZHYqVNA50_aMkkGrxtP3LlGSfqmTYnF8RgzzZg2rZ3kojqghLu1E4y1icGYsynOCrwYGSsvBwVB4eQmEruRIxZyz7-rUb4PZ-5sxBwOc/s320/IMG_5921.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cocoa tea samples</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Speaking of bugs…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wore insecticide for our visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m happy to say that it kept the mosquitoes
at bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we left, I was
bite-free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or so I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That evening I discovered two things about
sand flies: 1.) They are unperturbed by bug spray and 2.) their bites are
unmercifully itchy, hours after the attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My legs looked like a novel written in Brale.</span>Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67911.8681035 -61.994857 12.3648965 -61.363143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-43530553919926553692012-10-04T15:18:00.001-04:002012-10-04T16:17:06.266-04:00Ho Hum to the Humdrum<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I didn’t
blog last week; I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not like I
didn’t consider it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at my blog
and said to myself, “But all I have to report is the same old thing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been busy doing the same things I did
the week before and the week before.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeIjMvdEonGuwTy4a-wpzEieqUdb4FUbZ23ip9yeJPej3BIvwaxXEvUjnn2CwYVTKjpUq4XYe-y1Ve27i6wyh5yKsXffc-KSUGhqFpZ6JXPVxlczyfgSfWHf1lukmTJRM-4OvAIc_oXw/s1600/IMG_2176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdeIjMvdEonGuwTy4a-wpzEieqUdb4FUbZ23ip9yeJPej3BIvwaxXEvUjnn2CwYVTKjpUq4XYe-y1Ve27i6wyh5yKsXffc-KSUGhqFpZ6JXPVxlczyfgSfWHf1lukmTJRM-4OvAIc_oXw/s320/IMG_2176.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I went
on a hash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you surprised?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course not; I’ve been writing about
hashing every week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one was pretty
short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half of the run was through a creek
and how I managed not to slip on the rocks, I’ll never know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we emerged from the water, we found
ourselves in a pasture, having to bounce back and forth across the path,
dodging cow pies, while their producers watched bemusedly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzqqm4YdFlZXNTNdZzryklGK6TOmo2DOhtFUDVb46eS13qsu4sWtSF_Z4StOYJd2VCCumeW_t4qExiRg2W87qk6aYLaWeoRdnBzdl-lg8YpJ_ZJM-TODsyWjR9dg3bH6F7CoABNWRQM4/s1600/IMG_2182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzqqm4YdFlZXNTNdZzryklGK6TOmo2DOhtFUDVb46eS13qsu4sWtSF_Z4StOYJd2VCCumeW_t4qExiRg2W87qk6aYLaWeoRdnBzdl-lg8YpJ_ZJM-TODsyWjR9dg3bH6F7CoABNWRQM4/s400/IMG_2182.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGhC0yg4K4xJbnrIQqQa2wJMw_Lkj1gSzyYtwTi-rDpt7LqGHzgPWaMbOp4vDAsB8DI1wMe3wmtJXi_1uJYu4Qi51yAwrLhhzFmNcDRz8hsaKNcz02VVtTxx8P-ZNOuaDZQTHe5YSBMY/s1600/IMG_2190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGhC0yg4K4xJbnrIQqQa2wJMw_Lkj1gSzyYtwTi-rDpt7LqGHzgPWaMbOp4vDAsB8DI1wMe3wmtJXi_1uJYu4Qi51yAwrLhhzFmNcDRz8hsaKNcz02VVtTxx8P-ZNOuaDZQTHe5YSBMY/s320/IMG_2190.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The hash
path was shockingly distinct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
following a worn trail or, at times, an actual road!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How unheard of!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The luxury of semi-even footing meant I could
take in the surrounding beauty without stopping my pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That ability led me to the discovery of a
compromised goat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poor thing was
tied with a ratty length of rope (as is usual here) to a sapling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rope was wound several times around a
fallen branch, rendering the goat helplessly bound within a few inches from the
ground, its legs buckled beneath it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I,
naturally, put on the brakes and called out to my hash buddies for a hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah grabbed the goat’s horns while I
snapped away the problematic branch; then Ivan stepped in and removed the rest
of the debris that was in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
pretty sure we scared the goat half to death, but we still collected a few
karma points.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IUMxISVqr0S9Ef_BhBh5F2GBqySKmvp-cnhpKtToXpbJCIHtfbMI2A_TBkn71VPjqSDz1feV903oxMSTdB1pLzJI2Cv16gIcbXFvQ-hp1s_ZyZhBzpcLyKHkRf6uC6Av4eP_uLLSMjA/s1600/IMG_2187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IUMxISVqr0S9Ef_BhBh5F2GBqySKmvp-cnhpKtToXpbJCIHtfbMI2A_TBkn71VPjqSDz1feV903oxMSTdB1pLzJI2Cv16gIcbXFvQ-hp1s_ZyZhBzpcLyKHkRf6uC6Av4eP_uLLSMjA/s400/IMG_2187.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EcP4IKxKUpBh2oDw7vf1ed_HbOnjTZgawsPcVMAHH8XYBEwbh3T8fI6W2-O0An7PuVfng4sEkG6bnHYNiy-5bYnlHdEfehXnDqhgqXWZqi41zz9FMmTHcdRUpLsBvJ2In00QN54YHTM/s1600/IMG_2195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EcP4IKxKUpBh2oDw7vf1ed_HbOnjTZgawsPcVMAHH8XYBEwbh3T8fI6W2-O0An7PuVfng4sEkG6bnHYNiy-5bYnlHdEfehXnDqhgqXWZqi41zz9FMmTHcdRUpLsBvJ2In00QN54YHTM/s320/IMG_2195.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hairy oil down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
post-hash cuisine was the usual: oil down (Grenada’s national dish) and BBQ
chicken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I shared a plate of
oil down, doing our best to peel strips of pork from the vertebrae and pushing
aside great gelatinous chunks of hairy fat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had opted for the regular oil down, instead of the decaf (i.e. with
meat instead of vegetarian).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we’d
finished what we considered the edible portion, though, and found half of our
meal to have consisted of fat, bone and gristle, I was sort of wishing we’d
gotten the decaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Momma Dog showed
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Cue Grenada’s typical starving
pothound entrance.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hash buddies and
I spent the rest of our time cramming her full of pork fat, BBQ chicken and
anything else she would accept.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFc5apTDsF5r0EfeY4ghapUMslleF5f9KHz1w90lEgWObPLlpC93tKeyHF6EXRnJ7O3M6IjPcrWDN1vM1blG1OdZixdSJiOo_cjLKtu6U_IY8q-Kj36clj096IQz51hERDexn5_UafLkY/s1600/IMG_2207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFc5apTDsF5r0EfeY4ghapUMslleF5f9KHz1w90lEgWObPLlpC93tKeyHF6EXRnJ7O3M6IjPcrWDN1vM1blG1OdZixdSJiOo_cjLKtu6U_IY8q-Kj36clj096IQz51hERDexn5_UafLkY/s320/IMG_2207.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkiBlw6va1oQWzikXOTCmOzL6M4kBoblOgnkl-ugGgIQlgDvcP_uE8KOnXRCyYJy_NwnqqX1QrdR52jD9StCd8FvI9fHE4jfLuAx2RwNcVI7GbW3eQRFUCJFcT0QCqvzG5eH9lVPEnY8/s1600/IMG_2205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkiBlw6va1oQWzikXOTCmOzL6M4kBoblOgnkl-ugGgIQlgDvcP_uE8KOnXRCyYJy_NwnqqX1QrdR52jD9StCd8FvI9fHE4jfLuAx2RwNcVI7GbW3eQRFUCJFcT0QCqvzG5eH9lVPEnY8/s320/IMG_2205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlA_reg9GF7BShOpeM9hPiU0gyAu3SG1GG_Zm5HvrAG4ElSmxzoWqGZFy1YcNztumMatf0El0QtWyKZgzmqdlPOgvlr8hryu1D9aPpFQMJBbCKNuPtru4AorSkGzYFcyZT24wI7s0we6A/s1600/IMG_2213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlA_reg9GF7BShOpeM9hPiU0gyAu3SG1GG_Zm5HvrAG4ElSmxzoWqGZFy1YcNztumMatf0El0QtWyKZgzmqdlPOgvlr8hryu1D9aPpFQMJBbCKNuPtru4AorSkGzYFcyZT24wI7s0we6A/s320/IMG_2213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
else did I do that’s no big surprise?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
went to our favorite fruit stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
time, though I took pictures!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, there haven’t been many mangoes lately, so I’ve been
settling for extra bananas, rock figs and watermelon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVK5vgyWpbhRJXVTKt9tpeTjh4IeQfopytk1D0NJwD-nFContzWzp-HwyJz_LohlxVdvkmK_KmPzAyeSWD4Co7n5K3GD62dYYxARVs_DVq223qsub1Tos0t6pfanpb5WwQchgwl-SEeE/s1600/Fruit+Stand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVK5vgyWpbhRJXVTKt9tpeTjh4IeQfopytk1D0NJwD-nFContzWzp-HwyJz_LohlxVdvkmK_KmPzAyeSWD4Co7n5K3GD62dYYxARVs_DVq223qsub1Tos0t6pfanpb5WwQchgwl-SEeE/s400/Fruit+Stand.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapC8D1229LRrhsAcOJyJEhj3X_OUzyqqozqzbIVRDBIKYK-gnvn0G3bbx-1K4PDlRJfHKRaJYQK1LxTJjhyHkJ2cA8kZDa9V2rKED0ZTLuOcoo4ctmJ8QzTfiN3M9E63oUwbqFnTh16U/s1600/IMG_2234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapC8D1229LRrhsAcOJyJEhj3X_OUzyqqozqzbIVRDBIKYK-gnvn0G3bbx-1K4PDlRJfHKRaJYQK1LxTJjhyHkJ2cA8kZDa9V2rKED0ZTLuOcoo4ctmJ8QzTfiN3M9E63oUwbqFnTh16U/s320/IMG_2234.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great selection and great prices!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzyqrxeTvijeLN6fDuCv-BnUlifGggXsoc8c0GcmhZLyuCLn-c5I89DgVWzI-DuxIhTpx-BWPIYPoONtB8xKMvmcq30lxmrKdiDFG8zOMv84_eE5uw0EnOwG1sOvZNDZMucM6N0tSqu4/s1600/IMG_2236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzyqrxeTvijeLN6fDuCv-BnUlifGggXsoc8c0GcmhZLyuCLn-c5I89DgVWzI-DuxIhTpx-BWPIYPoONtB8xKMvmcq30lxmrKdiDFG8zOMv84_eE5uw0EnOwG1sOvZNDZMucM6N0tSqu4/s320/IMG_2236.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stand is at the same corner as this Bel Air sign, on Maurice Bishop Hwy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmHKCT9rXG1S1u8ap9NHHK5LqqV6gVQhEHsl66S4ayy_lxQLRK5o5sM-H-NPj8CU3bCW3zsogWm62jjSxyaXdsF1XdHUZSsIeYeTCpc7AjrIc_SoH_cItsO9SszppZVLHq9Us0KfXaTQ/s1600/IMG_2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmHKCT9rXG1S1u8ap9NHHK5LqqV6gVQhEHsl66S4ayy_lxQLRK5o5sM-H-NPj8CU3bCW3zsogWm62jjSxyaXdsF1XdHUZSsIeYeTCpc7AjrIc_SoH_cItsO9SszppZVLHq9Us0KfXaTQ/s320/IMG_2244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a stop for the SGU Frequente/Point Saline bus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
painted more these past couple weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
find so much joy and relaxation in drawing and painting; I just wish I’d brought
more watercolors and watercolor paper with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is something that’s going on the shopping list for items to bring
next term.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydJsFElNMhFev4pWePA522zSAnFFiwIHSXLNea0C9K0X1moQhs3ykCtiPVQCUsmIcVegOVGirs7wlHO1f_b3ZGP8z708593d-vkg5pF9mC6TlmiTZYgAQKbtuKYNnoG5PHb68OaJ88aY/s1600/Beasley3Concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydJsFElNMhFev4pWePA522zSAnFFiwIHSXLNea0C9K0X1moQhs3ykCtiPVQCUsmIcVegOVGirs7wlHO1f_b3ZGP8z708593d-vkg5pF9mC6TlmiTZYgAQKbtuKYNnoG5PHb68OaJ88aY/s400/Beasley3Concept.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjVAJ1Qc7pmAoIjwF8aZYZLQE2Aw-M1ZzNY57CFuVB7b4iSkG3plv20hwhQuZKFsVM494t6bVScyIHSTytKHCbHT8qwtiMWXXjm5nX934CIy0mpz1tZ7wdClybPh0hxp6Uc5JEHPsjQk/s1600/IMG_2233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjVAJ1Qc7pmAoIjwF8aZYZLQE2Aw-M1ZzNY57CFuVB7b4iSkG3plv20hwhQuZKFsVM494t6bVScyIHSTytKHCbHT8qwtiMWXXjm5nX934CIy0mpz1tZ7wdClybPh0hxp6Uc5JEHPsjQk/s400/IMG_2233.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The many colors of Beasley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9qD0TNhEn85dW1Yy4LgDp1H0__3qsU_41dXMP8YO5QgRMyBUz79JUufCaxDY3Q35VcWID3BXH7WtY0wfthAm7665e0NIPdcNYpxCrs5xb2mIkvBpQD97gRBcUMRu3ybd2-yOCyCu0Js/s1600/Map+Concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9qD0TNhEn85dW1Yy4LgDp1H0__3qsU_41dXMP8YO5QgRMyBUz79JUufCaxDY3Q35VcWID3BXH7WtY0wfthAm7665e0NIPdcNYpxCrs5xb2mIkvBpQD97gRBcUMRu3ybd2-yOCyCu0Js/s400/Map+Concept.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although painting old-style maps is fun, it's also very precise work. That rose compass is hard to make!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-R9fff0b5tVeJSDROzxyFVAQv4-0KZ0UiC3HSZ6uqkcPiBBNWXSHf-lQrrcaCBo7Dy7xDQZ93M1MI72HE64BtCUvPp0H4Dw0CxG5WQiJSIzF9tpY-fYipnAnifzJ0HArqb88vosipX6U/s1600/IMG_2258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-R9fff0b5tVeJSDROzxyFVAQv4-0KZ0UiC3HSZ6uqkcPiBBNWXSHf-lQrrcaCBo7Dy7xDQZ93M1MI72HE64BtCUvPp0H4Dw0CxG5WQiJSIzF9tpY-fYipnAnifzJ0HArqb88vosipX6U/s400/IMG_2258.JPG" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Grenada</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our mail
has been surprisingly full and exciting recently!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, we got a care package from Ivan’s mom
with all sorts of food and snacks: all-natural peanut butter, mixed nuts,
salmon, capers, and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, finally,
our absentee ballots arrived and Ivan and I were able to submit our votes for
the presidential election!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, another
care package arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one was from
my mom and included a smorgasbord of goodies: candy, instant apple cider and
Starbucks coffee, candles, decorations, and more!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioyBEEcX9M-qo3OlGZjS5olpb6hijXLKX0-LBS3kvH3KcgEw-fphdJoivzo6J0UunW2VQ0Y2lAxlWHortlL1pX-7gdPOnYhaj9ZInEDW_qpw1Qg3lONokYXnABQg66CLJUJpKymQvIm4/s1600/IMG_2245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioyBEEcX9M-qo3OlGZjS5olpb6hijXLKX0-LBS3kvH3KcgEw-fphdJoivzo6J0UunW2VQ0Y2lAxlWHortlL1pX-7gdPOnYhaj9ZInEDW_qpw1Qg3lONokYXnABQg66CLJUJpKymQvIm4/s320/IMG_2245.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross that off the to-do list</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCpTvOb5ThUoKjSZyGnNkvTvw4QplpKvUGJSsfSob9yJLMTpwonFvqFduRg-YkU7TDRuSh8-XQ308zaYuVJjd6lIA6p8oBWoMuBkAN_ZCF3iq-SJxWKgZLctn9ZMgPVgurTmfx0wngBI/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCpTvOb5ThUoKjSZyGnNkvTvw4QplpKvUGJSsfSob9yJLMTpwonFvqFduRg-YkU7TDRuSh8-XQ308zaYuVJjd6lIA6p8oBWoMuBkAN_ZCF3iq-SJxWKgZLctn9ZMgPVgurTmfx0wngBI/s320/IMG_2256.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been spoiled!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite knowing better, I am
terrified (more often than I’d like to admit) that when Ivan and I are away
from our friends and family back home, we may fall victims to the aphoristic expression,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Out of sight, out of mind</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being separated can do nasty things to your
psyche sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And small gestures,
like a care package or even a brief message online, tend to have the opposite
effect, luring out happy thoughts, like brilliant blossoms bursting
forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks, guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know who you are and now I hope you know
how much your actions and words resonate with us.</div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67911.8681035 -61.994857 12.3648965 -61.363143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-81566892863299901532012-09-22T12:48:00.002-04:002012-09-22T12:59:14.233-04:00Forever Twenty-Nine, The Spider Hunter<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In many
ways I am like my father: bony, monkey-toed, dorky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked like a freckled pale Gumby as a kid
and… oh, wait! I still do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m
pretty sure that’s a Gray gene I also share with my old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Saturday, our similarities caused a
minor panic attack for me, though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Despite my
apparent inability to regulate my body’s temperature—or even effectively <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">breathe</i> for that matter—in Grenada’s
humidity and heat, I opted for the running trail on Hash #745 last
Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though initially fooled by the
easy, even trail/paved road, I was brought to my senses when hash-reality collided
with me in the form of a 60-degree one-thousand-foot incline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Insert expletive.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My saving grace during the gasping, single
file march (actually, more like a crawl because you’d better believe I was
using all resources at my disposal to lurch forward, including extra limbs),
was Elly, the cute little dog brought along by a couple friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Elly needed to stop for a drink, we all
got to stop for a drink!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah what a break
will do when you’re on the brink of heat stroke and watering the jungle with
your sweat!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexKv6dVl2PgRGH8BWfw1H_cf702DhxROKMAZ6h5j3689i9b7Ex_B0BIyhyphenhyphenStwVu7I1QYwrvb9dc1-zQKYr-Se5A785K42CnqVAqoz2grBMtw9NIvbeHTcYrEL-HlzZO4BaROq2JxQsM8/s1600/IMG_2089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexKv6dVl2PgRGH8BWfw1H_cf702DhxROKMAZ6h5j3689i9b7Ex_B0BIyhyphenhyphenStwVu7I1QYwrvb9dc1-zQKYr-Se5A785K42CnqVAqoz2grBMtw9NIvbeHTcYrEL-HlzZO4BaROq2JxQsM8/s400/IMG_2089.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvVlxgCEs5b4KTGEgcLzyvV05XojoI6Q30mOpSYQpTsIzcAG_z-RZH9HVQW4gSN3CpRw2tW9LL69NXZ7UgwuKlpnFZn0-CkYYRMmSJ6WzAfSLuKQTYnE_xF_dVWuErlSPAxjXrgTPs8k/s1600/IMG_2090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvVlxgCEs5b4KTGEgcLzyvV05XojoI6Q30mOpSYQpTsIzcAG_z-RZH9HVQW4gSN3CpRw2tW9LL69NXZ7UgwuKlpnFZn0-CkYYRMmSJ6WzAfSLuKQTYnE_xF_dVWuErlSPAxjXrgTPs8k/s400/IMG_2090.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from the middle of our ascent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>About three
quarters of the way up our mountain path, I obliviously stumbled into the
territory of a peeved bee colony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I
huffed and puffed along, I felt a nasty stinging on my elbow and looked down to
find a bee curled up against my shiny skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The stinging got worse and worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Insert string of expletives.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
flicked at the bee, trying to dislodge it, while Ivan urged me to keep moving
(we were apparently surrounded by bees at that point).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bee came loose and I flung myself forward,
determined to catch up with our hashing group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the stinging was still getting worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked down and there, protruding from the
point of my elbow, was the bee’s stinger.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Though Ivan
had successfully removed the stinger, as I trudged on, I couldn’t help but
think how fast my heart was beating and the small chance that, since my last
sting decades ago, I may have very well developed an allergy to bee stings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I certainly wasn’t carrying an EpiPen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heck! I don’t even own an EpiPen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was at least a mile (a very steep mile)
away from the nearest road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I was in
the jungle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I could envision was Dad’s
swollen arm and that menacing red streak running from his wrist to his chest
last summer after a single bee sting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With every
footfall, I chanted to myself, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t be
allergic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be allergic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be allergic</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Good
news!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My chanting worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not allergic to bees.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG35livV5fA168T3Z0c3wSFQbAGyv46J5l30jDovek1hx3u7hQ1LpwQY6FWpxpxHqhFSoqh2_k1EL7OvVxDpH_V2-w9BJg41M2JbMsDtRNeT0WvuDOn5rC0TdoEcB5IS7ssK7mnaGfKds/s1600/IMG_2130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG35livV5fA168T3Z0c3wSFQbAGyv46J5l30jDovek1hx3u7hQ1LpwQY6FWpxpxHqhFSoqh2_k1EL7OvVxDpH_V2-w9BJg41M2JbMsDtRNeT0WvuDOn5rC0TdoEcB5IS7ssK7mnaGfKds/s640/IMG_2130.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The evening sky after our hash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tuesday
marked a milestone for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I officially
celebrated, for the first time, the last birthday I’ll celebrate for the rest
of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because, from now on, I’ll
just be turning twenty-nine again and again, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve begun the perpetual non-motion of aging
for the second two-thirds of my life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here’s how
the last birthday of the rest of my life went:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The campus
had a hiccup, resulting in no water and flickering electricity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking of hiccups, I had drained my water
bottle the night before when I couldn’t sleep due to an obnoxious bout of
hiccups, so I only had milk or Tang to drink (not exactly the thirst-quencher I
had in mind when lining up my morning exercise routine).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thankfully,
I got some water from a neighbor and, by the time my workout was done, the
water was back on, so I got to take a shower!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hooray!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, the flickering
electricity resulted in a day without A/C, so we opened the apartment up and
enjoyed a relaxing cross-breeze.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I spent
most of the day painting which, combined with the soothing wind, about left me
in a relaxation coma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For dinner we went
to Umbrellas restaurant on the Grand Anse beach, where we both had burgers and
enjoyed the sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sandal broke, so
Ivan had to carry me back up to our dorm after dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slipped on another pair of sandals and we
visited with our neighbors for a while to enjoy birthday cake.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANO9nSNCgPjkVVLHi_MinBL5Ho9zueglzI4URHW3F-YNLTnD9Xf_4HXMxSDIdIlN2aSP18tyACkL88v9s4YwgxV8Kh8gS7Pf4Zu6mgref9LS92Zyna_upS1lKnYQHdluh4TB2w8HiGeo/s1600/LnBConcept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANO9nSNCgPjkVVLHi_MinBL5Ho9zueglzI4URHW3F-YNLTnD9Xf_4HXMxSDIdIlN2aSP18tyACkL88v9s4YwgxV8Kh8gS7Pf4Zu6mgref9LS92Zyna_upS1lKnYQHdluh4TB2w8HiGeo/s400/LnBConcept.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYc7MwpcT8bFYVP1NQWx4TunICLJESoBd_OKA44_4VzMNQByP9E2T45GM7pL-H_yyKC1iV9WUXprbkIj9Xm2tsqQgJ9e8izkU9f0oRjbEdWkkVeEOaE1pyzDIbmSvrd3PtArNPkwjUIkU/s1600/Lisa-n-Beasley+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYc7MwpcT8bFYVP1NQWx4TunICLJESoBd_OKA44_4VzMNQByP9E2T45GM7pL-H_yyKC1iV9WUXprbkIj9Xm2tsqQgJ9e8izkU9f0oRjbEdWkkVeEOaE1pyzDIbmSvrd3PtArNPkwjUIkU/s400/Lisa-n-Beasley+Art.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished--A hug for Beasley!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5xeQlmp6VmpuEtoIxkyVwOgUmOqeC_R7BKwyJdyA0vFnGH_wE5viQFjRT1uDPiaHCJa1f0SdmU9CgvBpHEjpTn4xt6XE2kYko0UAU90smy9DrV5ZLjrddbg9WdHcH8jTaT3mTqr5iKA/s1600/IMG_2151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5xeQlmp6VmpuEtoIxkyVwOgUmOqeC_R7BKwyJdyA0vFnGH_wE5viQFjRT1uDPiaHCJa1f0SdmU9CgvBpHEjpTn4xt6XE2kYko0UAU90smy9DrV5ZLjrddbg9WdHcH8jTaT3mTqr5iKA/s640/IMG_2151.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Anse beach, before dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRsuOsDB6P-IXvAnyoFW1o898i5EiFfJMtgADOXE6MkEUQiIO32Snqn3p_CJ2JL4DoCmkuKhzfY2h6FgavYBVhU9q-Y_I-Nm4wC5xxI5oFrJDf9AgCZJbX_Xceg6ButGj9tp-ACKHIjc/s1600/IMG_2160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRsuOsDB6P-IXvAnyoFW1o898i5EiFfJMtgADOXE6MkEUQiIO32Snqn3p_CJ2JL4DoCmkuKhzfY2h6FgavYBVhU9q-Y_I-Nm4wC5xxI5oFrJDf9AgCZJbX_Xceg6ButGj9tp-ACKHIjc/s400/IMG_2160.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwzvymqfqM_8kyshqcg3U_d5kwFqqxGKfL_NgL1iuMqLNFm2LwzadjXx9h7XKCQE974RzgR4cgV8zpqZBlf_gv28QqNsekllJ_IJVCbJHfufpfjJ7g0OZsa3fDHcKBvFHbjxjJK6shXc/s1600/IMG_2164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwzvymqfqM_8kyshqcg3U_d5kwFqqxGKfL_NgL1iuMqLNFm2LwzadjXx9h7XKCQE974RzgR4cgV8zpqZBlf_gv28QqNsekllJ_IJVCbJHfufpfjJ7g0OZsa3fDHcKBvFHbjxjJK6shXc/s400/IMG_2164.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmm... piggy cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYdVZVv9d2P766okWmYe58iEbor3JcdwsMGs0wyZVoCWMe3bsM0bIJNSEosrj8XbiX6in6Ef2EaH18vpIZGzXE1yHh4yLcvUPUMat5dqMBPmCRn1Vmmein46zlMS-xBpWgBT-EB45CcI/s1600/IMG_5072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYdVZVv9d2P766okWmYe58iEbor3JcdwsMGs0wyZVoCWMe3bsM0bIJNSEosrj8XbiX6in6Ef2EaH18vpIZGzXE1yHh4yLcvUPUMat5dqMBPmCRn1Vmmein46zlMS-xBpWgBT-EB45CcI/s320/IMG_5072.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thursday
evening, Ivan and I joined a big group of SOs (and a few other students) in
another visit to the Fort Bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live
music was provided the whole night by Island Blue, which was unexpected, but
nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made the rounds through the
fort’s crumbling structure and I snapped lots of evening photos, forgoing the
flash to capture the orange glow in the evening sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we decided to revisit the bar, I was
determined to find more of the ominous tailless whip scorpions to photograph
with my “big camera.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We zeroed in on
the hole they’d haunted during our last trip and found the smaller of the two
still there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried getting a couple
shots, but the non-spider was a little farther into its hole than I’d
hoped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan reached in with his water
bottle, intending to scoot the bug out of its hiding place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cast a shadow too soon, though, and ended
up sending the spindly legged monster scrambling even deeper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1TmCkHqlFVEJEbdbs98E8qcWF0zzZs_YC8zfNEpw8zYdoXjmQINwrNbGx3azYuVIcRCU8g4VNvjDLVwnoxGspAcE7ZlNek0cqT41uCTg6sCeW6MGF3NGr7-1Rj40hpld7Bg7MCyC3Z0/s1600/IMG_4878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1TmCkHqlFVEJEbdbs98E8qcWF0zzZs_YC8zfNEpw8zYdoXjmQINwrNbGx3azYuVIcRCU8g4VNvjDLVwnoxGspAcE7ZlNek0cqT41uCTg6sCeW6MGF3NGr7-1Rj40hpld7Bg7MCyC3Z0/s640/IMG_4878.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Flashlights
at the ready, we moved on, pausing at every nook and corner, searching for scurrying
shadows and the telltale signs of more fort spiders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here and there we successfully found little
tailless whip scorpions, flattened against the craggy walls and arched ceilings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Millipedes galore slipped in and out of
cracks in the stone and curled on the paths, crunching beneath our feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even found a cute little gecko, randomly
plodding along the walls of the tunnels.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFkZtt5t-hHpEI14mU_-usbfRvZx0g9bi-wkIqQJyhLGGyGnS2yicvqul2wt3k4qFW4KSKz-6u7Sp90DgoBSEnXYjfuOQ0Fk-2WR6W-uC4a___xN1pmfNbgV-4Mvdo70foDPz-SSXhxY/s1600/IMG_4880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFkZtt5t-hHpEI14mU_-usbfRvZx0g9bi-wkIqQJyhLGGyGnS2yicvqul2wt3k4qFW4KSKz-6u7Sp90DgoBSEnXYjfuOQ0Fk-2WR6W-uC4a___xN1pmfNbgV-4Mvdo70foDPz-SSXhxY/s400/IMG_4880.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp86a4z1Vg-LVwcGtPnJ1kfARQuVOJ8dGrRIL9dkQoLn7jP4hl8pu4iVuDWwiZW5-R82O7PTqA7FzVa_8z9eBlrUquUEG6Phz3k-EzMWQab5ViY9I_PmJoWe5j8-uCV1xyWD2fL_DOOe4/s1600/IMG_4951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp86a4z1Vg-LVwcGtPnJ1kfARQuVOJ8dGrRIL9dkQoLn7jP4hl8pu4iVuDWwiZW5-R82O7PTqA7FzVa_8z9eBlrUquUEG6Phz3k-EzMWQab5ViY9I_PmJoWe5j8-uCV1xyWD2fL_DOOe4/s320/IMG_4951.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDacbqqCvpJxEt1lbU97NhxZ39Eweizm6ZFpCAhyOQRomWM6VmnOsoOjrKhqwr6I-imOFXLxVE2RNOIz6iYqok6hqbCXVvTjxhNmlMtoBJtOHlazK2S8fiB4z9rF-EYuwwWjFDOW0DrP8/s1600/IMG_5098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDacbqqCvpJxEt1lbU97NhxZ39Eweizm6ZFpCAhyOQRomWM6VmnOsoOjrKhqwr6I-imOFXLxVE2RNOIz6iYqok6hqbCXVvTjxhNmlMtoBJtOHlazK2S8fiB4z9rF-EYuwwWjFDOW0DrP8/s320/IMG_5098.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ever
present, this need to photo-journalize my fort adventure sent me scouting
forward while a larger chunk of the group stopped to socialize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan and I climbed a set of brick steps, to a
dark doorway we hadn’t investigated last visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the landing, Ivan cast his light ahead and we stood before a
transparent screen of incandescent webbing, rising, endlessly into the smoky
night sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spiders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Striped, glossy black and toxic yellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sharp legs, stretched forward and behind, vibrating
like some grotesque dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milky droplets
of shriveled insects dripping from knotted corners of webbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spiders and their shadows, like echoes,
trembling against the walls and suspended, surrounding us, for an eternity in
every direction.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IpwpL9FUJVydzGIZ713BdDF4PYXDF_1Glfo4bChl6ptYpaBiaVQb3TyPfx2xF0oGk-c7NM4ehFoVr23uP3Mj4cyxcy41JyQBBBYq0analzex1g6xVanihkacn6ijwacSAGtKLtM3EEg/s1600/IMG_4987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IpwpL9FUJVydzGIZ713BdDF4PYXDF_1Glfo4bChl6ptYpaBiaVQb3TyPfx2xF0oGk-c7NM4ehFoVr23uP3Mj4cyxcy41JyQBBBYq0analzex1g6xVanihkacn6ijwacSAGtKLtM3EEg/s320/IMG_4987.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brick stairs that lead to the wall o' spiders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5B2Ja9figxssu0osk-AgYFkUNBd42YWD7axloCUGd6yJwxXnAC0NlH-qH7N7QApVAF5VwTdxH0DgHee2tq8L_VTF7yILEjniO1VIWfAO1XYBu7Jo6LhyGIfmkHZt9FlSA53_HOBJO2Q/s1600/IMG_5022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5B2Ja9figxssu0osk-AgYFkUNBd42YWD7axloCUGd6yJwxXnAC0NlH-qH7N7QApVAF5VwTdxH0DgHee2tq8L_VTF7yILEjniO1VIWfAO1XYBu7Jo6LhyGIfmkHZt9FlSA53_HOBJO2Q/s640/IMG_5022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was like
I had just stumbled on a wall of human skulls and, for a moment, just let my
eyes wander up and into the blackness that finally ended it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I’m being overly dramatic but, unless
you’re Indiana Jones (or Aragorn), you’re never actually going to come across a
wall of skulls; so, to emphasize my disgusting point, the metaphor is allowed.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IcCF285diG6sYMYuR9hblW7ocGCeyJMJ3ZC9BFicKWUskFBEqvCmdun25JXt3dmlL41qRVRFsyBW4L83Z7PYqmt54Ebvbl-H6QSzBM-Fw5oSTl-ebnZNVdGuzrya7AEZdu_dwSviJxc/s1600/IMG_4849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IcCF285diG6sYMYuR9hblW7ocGCeyJMJ3ZC9BFicKWUskFBEqvCmdun25JXt3dmlL41qRVRFsyBW4L83Z7PYqmt54Ebvbl-H6QSzBM-Fw5oSTl-ebnZNVdGuzrya7AEZdu_dwSviJxc/s640/IMG_4849.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grenada night sky--into which walls of spiders disappear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44mnc0eUoZz-GSgtCEfcj5jTRR0fW4292JTiwONM_Um42jjHKba6drDSIHhCse3ZzZg6awvT4XA_tNY1KYmFog-Qr80Wcf3tpoyiznFq-12TuGeseguJFyUbDbQBMV1bAeKQdOUPZvGI/s1600/IMG_4992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44mnc0eUoZz-GSgtCEfcj5jTRR0fW4292JTiwONM_Um42jjHKba6drDSIHhCse3ZzZg6awvT4XA_tNY1KYmFog-Qr80Wcf3tpoyiznFq-12TuGeseguJFyUbDbQBMV1bAeKQdOUPZvGI/s400/IMG_4992.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
stomaching a few mouthfuls of that brackish pre-vomit saliva, I got right down
to picture-taking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we have here is
some sort of<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_orb_weaver" target="_blank"> Golden Silk Orb-Weaver Spider</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Species can be found all over the world, predominantly in warmer
climates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The orb-weaver is known for
its telltale zigzag web pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also…
they are creepy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> creepy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUPCtFFOKgxVhjvX0gVxsdv1_tw7cOva-H8BC6PEOFT5kuiFRsWInciaqs_bfV9NvtKKckLWm_F3DQytGjXAZM48xiAYYKNSgyPqirrAE6NZ2lS4EIsKzD2KJ_G_32GK-31eBEOgRrqA/s1600/IMG_5047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUPCtFFOKgxVhjvX0gVxsdv1_tw7cOva-H8BC6PEOFT5kuiFRsWInciaqs_bfV9NvtKKckLWm_F3DQytGjXAZM48xiAYYKNSgyPqirrAE6NZ2lS4EIsKzD2KJ_G_32GK-31eBEOgRrqA/s640/IMG_5047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com1Grenada12.1165 -61.67911.8681035 -61.994857 12.3648965 -61.363143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-45787434614753222352012-09-14T16:17:00.001-04:002012-09-14T16:17:23.393-04:00Holy Guacamole!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We’ve been on
the island for about a month and a half now, and I’m ashamed to admit that my
first visit back to the beach was last Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve sort of fallen into a nasty habit of
saying, “Well, the beach isn’t going anywhere.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Too often I forget that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I need to write on my bathroom mirror <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You’re Not Going to Be Here Forever</i> in
the most vivid shade of lipstick I own.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqsD66FWtyt22DABndYjT4XkPrPVyICJVm3OBxGbJionv9rqOMo6MiHu7fjV4xLUQy5D4hUoG7cyCcORr-RE1syfiukApkQZtCdGDb9E8ALhJmRt7SvnbTPvUZWf-LjfAgt7O6ibOIFQ/s1600/IMG_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqsD66FWtyt22DABndYjT4XkPrPVyICJVm3OBxGbJionv9rqOMo6MiHu7fjV4xLUQy5D4hUoG7cyCcORr-RE1syfiukApkQZtCdGDb9E8ALhJmRt7SvnbTPvUZWf-LjfAgt7O6ibOIFQ/s320/IMG_2015.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last
weekend was <a href="http://www.sgu.edu/family-friends/family-weekend.html" target="_blank">Family Weekend</a> at SGU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
school organized three days’ worth of events and activities as it played host
to many students’ visiting families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
Ivan’s wife and, therefore, family, I signed up to take part in a couple of the
free events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is how Ivan and I found
ourselves, Saturday morning, enjoying a free brunch with friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed the complimentary meal with rum
tasting (also free).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I didn’t
take part in the rum tasting since I’m not a fan of rum (gasp!) or, really, any
hard liquor (double gasp!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the
boozing, we watched about half of a chocolatier’s demonstration before hastily
changing into beach gear and catching a bus to Magazine Beach.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjUr2SY8B6JfpVLZOtrG6gpYDE4MuaCdPwOnuKzboqQQ5YePUj7TuoNlRTbDNrVOXXESglJBzM_mRsj-Rx48XWQlTXdptnrJr32RagPiIsJvwI7u0D84mib8fdXsXKSWou7L1Y64GuV0/s1600/IMG_2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjUr2SY8B6JfpVLZOtrG6gpYDE4MuaCdPwOnuKzboqQQ5YePUj7TuoNlRTbDNrVOXXESglJBzM_mRsj-Rx48XWQlTXdptnrJr32RagPiIsJvwI7u0D84mib8fdXsXKSWou7L1Y64GuV0/s400/IMG_2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm... free fried food!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Pgtv9D2uxXX-bpH6SO6iiSxM7Yz2ARy9pIL1iFCu8EdAAIBE0PHsyzPI-GBhFkb1SmdjptFqfcHavuxE2HMEkZhNF_e64iz4p9whjOmkqHNHb7HyScneg6kN_WxwXJyjrxArKnjHfqU/s1600/IMG_2027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Pgtv9D2uxXX-bpH6SO6iiSxM7Yz2ARy9pIL1iFCu8EdAAIBE0PHsyzPI-GBhFkb1SmdjptFqfcHavuxE2HMEkZhNF_e64iz4p9whjOmkqHNHb7HyScneg6kN_WxwXJyjrxArKnjHfqU/s640/IMG_2027.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pig foot soup, complete with hairy pig feet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8b8qNmEbokNSiR1xH6k_hF7SzrjnUJjC6FkCpa6za7T2vbzA5uNtmmwd6QubSGa4aokgmonyEBu2buQhrzr9O5g5E1OTW6BM__yaqiv3QYoGaCY-POVr0z7eq-_tIwKga7b6CjCC9eY/s1600/IMG_2034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8b8qNmEbokNSiR1xH6k_hF7SzrjnUJjC6FkCpa6za7T2vbzA5uNtmmwd6QubSGa4aokgmonyEBu2buQhrzr9O5g5E1OTW6BM__yaqiv3QYoGaCY-POVr0z7eq-_tIwKga7b6CjCC9eY/s400/IMG_2034.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nothing
but free food could have enticed me to stuff my face before shimmying into my
bikini, but, as it was free and mostly pretty good, stuff my face I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a little exercise in the sea,
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let no one tell you that
treading water and playing Frisbee simultaneously is an easy feat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For, even if I were able to fling that disc
anywhere remotely close to my target, I still would be exhausted from
perpetually pumping my legs to keep my head above water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, let no one tell you that exhausting
yourself from treading water in the Caribbean Sea is not so much fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have I mentioned recently (or ever) how much
I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i> to swim?</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YA5KuYGKIUDaTqYUtIQnCjySvfJFCzUBFgiTCO6P60Mtbls6zRcCDZ5lONA3g_Uf3AmxHmSOeU9cscwBFYAu6F1XE41XAn5mKceyT4i2OwNgXxSvWPWSpvu65Y-OPdvMHoAhnwh5gDk/s1600/IMG_2043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YA5KuYGKIUDaTqYUtIQnCjySvfJFCzUBFgiTCO6P60Mtbls6zRcCDZ5lONA3g_Uf3AmxHmSOeU9cscwBFYAu6F1XE41XAn5mKceyT4i2OwNgXxSvWPWSpvu65Y-OPdvMHoAhnwh5gDk/s640/IMG_2043.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy beach goers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5XTpgcyalovQHDRIPTgwWDUGp9gYXEvMGidshvg15IuJp2Hv6ABy0UHzA2e4fH6jgO9g87WLTX5OEfML2qSEYm__HnIcvdb7wnChJHAVN7JoGue9_5jRxAgurZvs04ydLPSPwqfeA6I/s1600/IMG_2052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5XTpgcyalovQHDRIPTgwWDUGp9gYXEvMGidshvg15IuJp2Hv6ABy0UHzA2e4fH6jgO9g87WLTX5OEfML2qSEYm__HnIcvdb7wnChJHAVN7JoGue9_5jRxAgurZvs04ydLPSPwqfeA6I/s400/IMG_2052.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Going to
the beach holds distinct attraction for people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For me, the water is the attraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sand I can take or leave; the trees, the sun, the breeze, are all
accessories to the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This term, we
brought a snorkel set with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
the water was unusually choppy and visibility was poor, I donned the
fashionable mask and awkward fins, forgoing the snorkel for fear that I would
emerge as a wave crested and suck down water instead of air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a few friends, I dove into the cloudy
water and skimmed over rock formations and reefs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have yet to determine how to equalize the
pressure that caused my ears to ache every time I reached a certain depth, but
I got a few tips from my fellow divers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Under water, noise was muffled to the very brink of silence and all I
heard was a crackling, like electricity, still dim in the hush, so that my ears
were assaulted when I resurfaced and the soundlessness was broken by my
splashing and gasping and the wind rushing, louder than the waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s cliché for me to assimilate the
underwater encounter to another world, but I would do exactly that if I had to
describe the experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVV5izWCQ5rRPH6wYvKKN9RuA528mp1Y5hV54Jfc4Fg1XaI2Eajx7neFt02JSwi8qeNu4GHbIm8fCBpjfjG_BLYnEZfhhNFKh2y186ko-qnaWnDNVcm_Cz1IfxOxfMh9OKBFNBQf7wM0A/s1600/Allison+Snorkel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVV5izWCQ5rRPH6wYvKKN9RuA528mp1Y5hV54Jfc4Fg1XaI2Eajx7neFt02JSwi8qeNu4GHbIm8fCBpjfjG_BLYnEZfhhNFKh2y186ko-qnaWnDNVcm_Cz1IfxOxfMh9OKBFNBQf7wM0A/s640/Allison+Snorkel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strapping on my headgear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYi-1uN7rP3hLVbafKGjfCgEaMtSBDptsN_Vybh_NTjgs7Liwdf9D_7C8j45Ecbq7B6Ly3xKG_gQW0Rjl6azTjkESmt9L_8zQun3hY682EJ5pprHJ2HOqfPWSqMrrQ0HH1FeUSYFKL74/s1600/IMG_2036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYi-1uN7rP3hLVbafKGjfCgEaMtSBDptsN_Vybh_NTjgs7Liwdf9D_7C8j45Ecbq7B6Ly3xKG_gQW0Rjl6azTjkESmt9L_8zQun3hY682EJ5pprHJ2HOqfPWSqMrrQ0HH1FeUSYFKL74/s320/IMG_2036.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David found a treasure?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FSGMYHW2SlC84MF47omV88UILNXDjzM9cUxCyvFE0ILo__jZrrdr3xjYDm0S1q6tVImYXPjteWiLI7r6hOTJutmgb5IOXX9LfQWzDkdimTgOl3BO2yIlYwq8X9iDbakCfL0K_JMcV74/s1600/Striped+Fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FSGMYHW2SlC84MF47omV88UILNXDjzM9cUxCyvFE0ILo__jZrrdr3xjYDm0S1q6tVImYXPjteWiLI7r6hOTJutmgb5IOXX9LfQWzDkdimTgOl3BO2yIlYwq8X9iDbakCfL0K_JMcV74/s640/Striped+Fish.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A few
other happenings:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We got
more fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like that’s a huge surprise,
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, look at it all!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kuaJuEFF-OBNcOPZLzxEQ44gwOwi_SrhPKmHiOyPWOjJcmCNMat0DuBPQntOmW2btu_-uHtVZLkZahrJF7hAs4ZwMveTGubFM9jkBNyLuTBa8jrRhl5MTYJ65Kw9JEDNS2_LXwTrkeo/s1600/IMG_4716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kuaJuEFF-OBNcOPZLzxEQ44gwOwi_SrhPKmHiOyPWOjJcmCNMat0DuBPQntOmW2btu_-uHtVZLkZahrJF7hAs4ZwMveTGubFM9jkBNyLuTBa8jrRhl5MTYJ65Kw9JEDNS2_LXwTrkeo/s640/IMG_4716.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
supported a kickball team comprised mostly of our friends. Go Kickaholics
Anonymous!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW5mgv6L67wcvCExBsieLfnARqGtUCdCi35dclFNAPQ9-DSUaJqM1uMIU44SdaJLNcTsAQwcou4YJxtk7G9FZlc9KyvRpPaLRmu4DXHvvDOKhmmun_IEfgX8fkFmyW4Z-0LkW-F9YTnk/s1600/IMG_4789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW5mgv6L67wcvCExBsieLfnARqGtUCdCi35dclFNAPQ9-DSUaJqM1uMIU44SdaJLNcTsAQwcou4YJxtk7G9FZlc9KyvRpPaLRmu4DXHvvDOKhmmun_IEfgX8fkFmyW4Z-0LkW-F9YTnk/s400/IMG_4789.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We have
found a new hobby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time we have an
avocado pit (and we have had many recently since we’ve both started eating
guacamole almost on a daily basis), we try to throw it from our balcony onto
Holly and David’s balcony, below us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
write or draw on some of the pits and, for reasons I’m not even going to try
going into, we yell <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Potato!</i> every
time we successfully bomb their balcony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am putting together a video of all of our air raids, so look forward
to that in an upcoming post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happily, we
are not the only ones getting into this avocado-pit-tossing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holly even posted about it in <a href="http://hols13.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/the-sky-is-falling/" target="_blank">her blog!</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyIWIdfCEikhRZOvLxXfcYbQNBT5i-HOcAyCUJ7rxHkv3s0akXuj2gwBPEN0lTXz1XQ1iGkMY1r4QGp8yLZ6hnQoSP5Ri_rmbK6m0tPZMsItqkjLfa4EYUw4mQG-AxEAr2U0AaObinAA/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyIWIdfCEikhRZOvLxXfcYbQNBT5i-HOcAyCUJ7rxHkv3s0akXuj2gwBPEN0lTXz1XQ1iGkMY1r4QGp8yLZ6hnQoSP5Ri_rmbK6m0tPZMsItqkjLfa4EYUw4mQG-AxEAr2U0AaObinAA/s400/IMG_2073.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What we threw down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaUV3LpQtRu-a7hTiE1oOsV6_H1HcMCj97WV_nvF1w4Z7uLlQ1ENIOTd9t7klUbXtGhx6w7I8-a-5CEhx_GulYSEq5WnjalxLJSGdKEESfLICJaf1vQp57PeCUQ64yHxzPManuQVaQog/s1600/IMG_4818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaUV3LpQtRu-a7hTiE1oOsV6_H1HcMCj97WV_nvF1w4Z7uLlQ1ENIOTd9t7klUbXtGhx6w7I8-a-5CEhx_GulYSEq5WnjalxLJSGdKEESfLICJaf1vQp57PeCUQ64yHxzPManuQVaQog/s400/IMG_4818.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What they tossed up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I went
to a fun wine night with the girls at <a href="http://jandkgrenada.blogspot.com/2012/09/1-cockroach-2-cockroach-3-cockroach-dead.html" target="_blank">Katie’s</a> house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I came
down with a touch of the paintin’ fever again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-bQvKkRabf7eQ24I7ZtDDrTgs0XnYEMRA2qIr8LbO3zz_V3XJE7oJpG5p6TKfk2WuOswTEH4DXL7ZUaIi0sIxuRjq_MUJ1J6M5Cf6hKZX4VO78JkF9av2jZAv7P-8sxrJqZ2jl6PWQE/s1600/Beasley+Art+Concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-bQvKkRabf7eQ24I7ZtDDrTgs0XnYEMRA2qIr8LbO3zz_V3XJE7oJpG5p6TKfk2WuOswTEH4DXL7ZUaIi0sIxuRjq_MUJ1J6M5Cf6hKZX4VO78JkF9av2jZAv7P-8sxrJqZ2jl6PWQE/s400/Beasley+Art+Concept.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBuh4lF-940q63LhYBU63N6d8fHB0Jde2TAY4eD8-YBpO3AnRRm0KgDMiSZpoTteqRk04PSDgFtZUnEq4AjKHztlfN-V9v7-nFRHDtQYrStgZKUVaPMmzBa_DcTQ1RkoEkqkpjX98kW8/s1600/Beasley+Art+Concept+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBuh4lF-940q63LhYBU63N6d8fHB0Jde2TAY4eD8-YBpO3AnRRm0KgDMiSZpoTteqRk04PSDgFtZUnEq4AjKHztlfN-V9v7-nFRHDtQYrStgZKUVaPMmzBa_DcTQ1RkoEkqkpjX98kW8/s400/Beasley+Art+Concept+2.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBiaChK5t9xt1gKVWvbz0NpErgKp6A4OLv1m90mmWzNGFlCW5UQJwLKdnmFj76P7Qp0bUAH7jfQSmAJlNhQxeyUbwKOlzCb93fnZd5fte_hXeMkLa8H4BdyCfuQLcFZsmkidBr5v59yw/s1600/Beasley-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBiaChK5t9xt1gKVWvbz0NpErgKp6A4OLv1m90mmWzNGFlCW5UQJwLKdnmFj76P7Qp0bUAH7jfQSmAJlNhQxeyUbwKOlzCb93fnZd5fte_hXeMkLa8H4BdyCfuQLcFZsmkidBr5v59yw/s640/Beasley-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beasley!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AAv4JhtcyVoJopNExIhtUW9uODc5zX0ZEXE6kgwsocJFv3Vwcwvbmf-A4a0cwA0_gn6OlK_YSjUln91VsHtSvH3CRqgSgHXbAKIXjs6z4G2bRoWUrE5p0IOirC8PmJztgZpG7aOxF30/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="491" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AAv4JhtcyVoJopNExIhtUW9uODc5zX0ZEXE6kgwsocJFv3Vwcwvbmf-A4a0cwA0_gn6OlK_YSjUln91VsHtSvH3CRqgSgHXbAKIXjs6z4G2bRoWUrE5p0IOirC8PmJztgZpG7aOxF30/s640/IMG_2053.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babe!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com1Grenada12.1165 -61.67911.8681035 -61.994857 12.3648965 -61.363143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-90862567329527193212012-09-04T20:38:00.000-04:002012-09-04T20:47:39.190-04:00What Lurks Beneath the Fort<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In my
last post, I talked a lot about fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In particular, I mentioned revisiting my opinion of passion fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True to my word, we let our last passion
fruit ripen another five days before cutting into it and trying the gooey
center again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My revised opinion: no
change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, the fruit may have
become more bitter with time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been
told eating the passion fruit with sugar and mixed up in a drink is far better
than trying it raw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since that was our
last fruit, though, I’m probably not going to be in any big hurry to try it
again.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeMVBWGVKcArg5giRJqJTblS0W9rsTp4bagT86k9DiO0iY1P7wxiaqHbx_rwUmx860YL0XXkc4Nz6tohyphenhyphenCZ3KJ7xtGw6Xiit8D2AIjFSQ1SpzN_HPGnNEtnIN6WnMH0j_2y0-ux_e4Yw/s1600/IMG_4698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeMVBWGVKcArg5giRJqJTblS0W9rsTp4bagT86k9DiO0iY1P7wxiaqHbx_rwUmx860YL0XXkc4Nz6tohyphenhyphenCZ3KJ7xtGw6Xiit8D2AIjFSQ1SpzN_HPGnNEtnIN6WnMH0j_2y0-ux_e4Yw/s320/IMG_4698.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
Sunday we took our usual stroll to our favorite fruit stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There we were pleasantly surprised to find
two of our favorite types of mangoes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
is the larger, plumper type, with small pits and soft flesh that is almost
completely free of the bothersome fibers in most mangoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fruit vendor referred to them as “rich
people mangoes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other type I’d only
had once before when they were sold on campus last term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are very large—almost unidentifiable as
a mango—and elongated, like an eggplant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have very thin, long pits and the flesh is almost buttery soft and
bursting with flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A single one of
these mangoes makes for a meal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
doing a little snooping, I believe the “rich people mangoes” are manila mangoes
and the eggplant variety is a Madame Francis mango.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Of course that’s subject to change if and
when I learn better.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65ZC_JNdFralAG8EAcTvaPZU9P2aCqxal81TGdpY1kCBPzj1KBv_9gTNo7B0mtaz1g7WcS11M4z_J2lSfMUXyqXa1OaudwADRHfTW0ps0tUC9Y-6CtxCq7lfrgrBjDhQ5SaEZDk3vdxA/s1600/IMG_4682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65ZC_JNdFralAG8EAcTvaPZU9P2aCqxal81TGdpY1kCBPzj1KBv_9gTNo7B0mtaz1g7WcS11M4z_J2lSfMUXyqXa1OaudwADRHfTW0ps0tUC9Y-6CtxCq7lfrgrBjDhQ5SaEZDk3vdxA/s640/IMG_4682.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0eM2D-K7k42F1HROAtYhNPAgkHYxCyfv04XvnjruqjfIM4A1FVzFHCwrNeq2qma6MMjGymEVFa0g7KbULIkBqznh365kufhE_tQqsQ-33ZxfdRVsnzEkR7EHiIKukGm_iHyPPUflJyw/s1600/IMG_4674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0eM2D-K7k42F1HROAtYhNPAgkHYxCyfv04XvnjruqjfIM4A1FVzFHCwrNeq2qma6MMjGymEVFa0g7KbULIkBqznh365kufhE_tQqsQ-33ZxfdRVsnzEkR7EHiIKukGm_iHyPPUflJyw/s640/IMG_4674.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m so
happy we discovered this fruit stand last term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The guy who works on Sundays has to be one of the nicest Grenadians we’ve
met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes pride in what he sells and
encourages you to choose your own product, so you get the best pick (or at
least what you judge to be best).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s
careful when bagging it and will ask you to carry softer produce (like bananas)
separately, so that they don’t get squished on your way home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will go into great detail when explaining
how to prepare certain foods or how to detect when something is ripe enough to
eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week I bought a breadfruit and
he cut it and seeded it for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
explaining how to keep the breadfruit and prepare it for cooking, he asked if I
wanted him to peel it for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
left, he gave us a free waternut (immature coconut) to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Sunday, he asked us to pay less than the
total due, then gave us two free oranges and two free golden apples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m starting to think he appreciates our
business!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Speaking
of fruit, we got our hands on some ginormous starfruit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know we had these treats last term also,
but they were one-third the size of these!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiW2ERmps0PSV3hr4Cqz0EKi6WgvMII-tmSh4vIaEwWA2sG-8MYRN2LmCt8RnWL5XNxhawOEtAK9mdjmnczXMsAPTWfABHU4lmLxuG2zUH5kxZAd-o3jMHpxbBpl_xKlYqYSOit0ax3qM/s1600/IMG_4702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiW2ERmps0PSV3hr4Cqz0EKi6WgvMII-tmSh4vIaEwWA2sG-8MYRN2LmCt8RnWL5XNxhawOEtAK9mdjmnczXMsAPTWfABHU4lmLxuG2zUH5kxZAd-o3jMHpxbBpl_xKlYqYSOit0ax3qM/s400/IMG_4702.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now on
to creepier and crawlier topics…</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
Friday, Ivan and I joined a group of friends to celebrate a birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were about a dozen of us who met at
Umbrellas, a restaurant on the shores of the Grand Anse beach, where we barely
caught the remnants of the sunset before ordering our dinners and enjoying some
drinks during happy hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After dinner,
we made our way up north, toward St. George, stopping at one of Grenada’s forts
where we settled in at the “fort bar” for an evening of drinking, Taboo and
unofficial tours of the fort’s crumbling remains.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f_Awf1xbRn9m88Rg9cCeZ8g72NWM0EIKHcnRp8CReLhRBl1b_sCiQr3uexr6od5FQftvxdtO1Sj-cuZ7Dk5F0tn-3T2k3rDPE3BCObDQYyFmP5vq5tceOuNIUEz1zd2r9-11QK57v54/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f_Awf1xbRn9m88Rg9cCeZ8g72NWM0EIKHcnRp8CReLhRBl1b_sCiQr3uexr6od5FQftvxdtO1Sj-cuZ7Dk5F0tn-3T2k3rDPE3BCObDQYyFmP5vq5tceOuNIUEz1zd2r9-11QK57v54/s320/IMG_1944.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday girl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGgrCxoKSCV8_ly5P3aYgxIAL4CclZe5Qnd6R1vHgwmLbnXIpVumLT4Jch7p8dH-K0YPv1FddF7UiT45Bf-SxSkAylDdkiBq3DeGV1zspGplu3yYbv3_kcBpF06MAooBJH4KlKs0WUlM/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGgrCxoKSCV8_ly5P3aYgxIAL4CclZe5Qnd6R1vHgwmLbnXIpVumLT4Jch7p8dH-K0YPv1FddF7UiT45Bf-SxSkAylDdkiBq3DeGV1zspGplu3yYbv3_kcBpF06MAooBJH4KlKs0WUlM/s320/IMG_1934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_kUsEVqAS2_NAbTvk9SoCWvmTfsp3RIKecWMejxPVRXNM3EmpUf3mYoWKNUUEiszW2J7oHpSfNcgXVPZ8jD0PVewGgvhrDyUhCmz6EsQz7m8cGZSSFu348KSMfQoOw3gzkq1R4OuSGw/s1600/Green+Groups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_kUsEVqAS2_NAbTvk9SoCWvmTfsp3RIKecWMejxPVRXNM3EmpUf3mYoWKNUUEiszW2J7oHpSfNcgXVPZ8jD0PVewGgvhrDyUhCmz6EsQz7m8cGZSSFu348KSMfQoOw3gzkq1R4OuSGw/s640/Green+Groups.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOL23yurMsvHRf3BbFIoq_fr2ChljUqqNZe9nxJ9of07pYsQaUATEGEtd1SsHdNAZ8z6_IG8aDV-Jwqbz3-sp02r2DECh_dIoEN9lRSlrrhxwOlaQIXHacYwjd7b3yb4ExM-xc1i1eiXc/s1600/Having+Fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOL23yurMsvHRf3BbFIoq_fr2ChljUqqNZe9nxJ9of07pYsQaUATEGEtd1SsHdNAZ8z6_IG8aDV-Jwqbz3-sp02r2DECh_dIoEN9lRSlrrhxwOlaQIXHacYwjd7b3yb4ExM-xc1i1eiXc/s640/Having+Fun.jpg" width="531" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The mood
was dark as we skulked around the collapsing walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost thirty years ago, during <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_grenada" target="_blank">Operation Urgent Fury</a>, when the U.S. invaded Grenada, a bomb meant for another fort had
been unintentionally dropped on this now-decimated tourist stop, with the
unlikely victims being patients of the then-insane asylum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To add a little chill to an already bloody
story, we were shown the crosshatched etchings in the walls of the cells, deep
and shadowy in the unsteady beams of our flashlights—scratches from the
patients of the asylum, as hauntingly permanent as the concrete walls
themselves.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As if we
weren’t already crawling with goosebumps, our next stop left us practically
screaming for mercy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our party split,
one half scooting to our bar room to leave the other half ducking through
craggy tunnels in search of the frighteningly enormous spiders that frequented
such places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, oh, we found
them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A rocky pit in the wall of the
tunnel housed two mammoth insects that I can only describe as horrifying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As large as the breadth of my outstretched
hand, plated with dull grey armor, climbing on thick slow legs, they were the
very representation of revulsion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
front legs (pedipalps) were folded in half and tipped with pincers, poised to
snatch at the unsuspecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their
abdomens looked like a series of interlocking plates, like a rattlesnake’s
rattle or the underside of a cockroach.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
keeping with my curious nature, I researched the heinous creature and
discovered that it is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tailless_Whip_Scorpion" target="_blank">Tailless Whip Scorpion</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although in the arachnid class, the tailless whip scorpion is neither
spider, nor scorpion (which explained the lack of webbing in their little
cave).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not poisonous or really
harmful at all, despite their rather off-putting appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a disturbing presence like that, it’s
not hard to believe that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everyone</i> in
that tunnel knew these nasty bugs made an unforgettable debut on the reality
show, Fear Factor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(In the clip, the
insects are mistakenly introduced as African Cave-Dwelling Spiders—also known
as Whip Scorpions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little research
shows that they are, in fact, Tailless Whip Scorpions.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was also the insect of choice to portray
the tortured spider in the movie <a href="http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Alastor_Moody%27s_spiders" target="_blank">Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So apparently the media agree that these
things leave a lasting impression.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dweeVajYVASalOvdAwLuFaOxzHPWuQ9TTQjZhTzIdfMFO6SMmUbTgvuXmmNtwvmjxtOdbxs5L0YPK2n3Z2cLg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As a
side note, many of you may remember Ivan’s little<a href="http://allisonawayfromhome.blogspot.com/2012/04/oh-spring-how-ive-missed-you.html" target="_blank"> avocado project</a> last
term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alas, the avocado tree didn’t
quite survive the summer months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, Ivan took one of the genip seeds from<a href="http://allisonawayfromhome.blogspot.com/2012/08/fruit-free-for-all.html" target="_blank"> last week</a> and popped it
in a pot of dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Voila!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got a sprout!<br />
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Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com0Grenada12.1165 -61.67911.8681035 -61.994857 12.3648965 -61.363143tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220958282630536586.post-30181867368011884562012-08-30T14:35:00.000-04:002012-08-30T14:35:26.243-04:00Fruit Free for All!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyone who
follows my blog, even semi-regularly, is accustomed to my interest… nay,
obsession, with food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were there any
justice in the world, I would weigh at least 300 pounds more than I do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For the
past couple weeks, Ivan and I have been gorging ourselves (I mean, barely coming
up for air kind of gorging) on fruit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
never eaten so much fruit in such a short amount of time and I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i> every minute of it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I should stop because those 300 pounds
are definitely tracking my fructose binge.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not only
have we been indulging in the sweeter side of Caribbean life, we’ve also been
enjoying the plethora of other fresh produce available on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An inventory of my studio apartment in the
past week would turn up:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mangoes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rock figs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Green bananas</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ripe Bananas</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plantains</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coconut</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Guava</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Skinnups</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Passion fruit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Breadfruit</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sugarcane</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eggplant</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seasoning peppers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scotch Bonnets</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carrots</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Green beans</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tomatoes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Potatoes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cucumbers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Avocado</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pumpkin</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
probably missing a thing or two, but my point is getting across, I’m sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moving on campus meant a standard-size
refrigerator for us (much larger than the leprechaun fridge we had last term)
and we have packed it full. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, shelf life isn’t a
consideration for me when shopping, so I’m left with the decision every night
of what’s going to go bad first and, therefore, should be cooked soonest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After
having talked about it all last term, I finally bought a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breadfruit" target="_blank">breadfruit </a>to
try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vendor at the fruit stall cut
it into wedges and removed the seeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I got it home, I put the wedges in a bowl of salted water and have
kept it thus in my fridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To prepare
it, the skin (hard and scaly) should be removed with a paring knife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flesh is firm, like an apple, and can be
julienned and fried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Serve them salted
and with ketchup, like French fries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are starchy and very similar to potatoes, though perhaps slightly
more dense and sweet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRuSTZXlTrGqIQZW0wZ9gqOZlaTG7SRarZGrWu5IU-8UYly1_0R0JwajFxZdn_BS1tDOai9GKYLXjTlXsOzge9HLTsfAxffrHu-eXdVGP106HoFjvJvnArpY7UjmaiCEJ5RV6PEyN-N4/s1600/Breadfruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRuSTZXlTrGqIQZW0wZ9gqOZlaTG7SRarZGrWu5IU-8UYly1_0R0JwajFxZdn_BS1tDOai9GKYLXjTlXsOzge9HLTsfAxffrHu-eXdVGP106HoFjvJvnArpY7UjmaiCEJ5RV6PEyN-N4/s640/Breadfruit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I don’t
recall seeing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guava" target="_blank">guava </a>last term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder
if I just wasn’t paying attention or if they weren’t around for the dry
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless, we have tried them
this term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, we have done more
than try them; if the Grenadian farmers have a marketing handbook, under the “Supply
and Demand” section, there is only a photo of Ivan and I with our mouths open
like hungry fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guava is a lime-size
fruit that is entirely edible, making cleanup a cinch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When ripe, the flesh is pink and soft and very
sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The inside is peppered with small
hard seeds that are harmless, so it’s easiest to just swallow them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the fruit is quite soft, it’s not
necessary to bite down real hard—something we found helpful while trying to
avoid breaking our teeth on the seeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eat guava slowly and you’ll fall in love with it as much as we have!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvaEzqHWhMKozJqARLIgJAj6nuhtjx44TQSc_1Nk8yoE4SsWOiQT4qC6RkoTwlZM6LReLUQXgsEj5Eo9-2yeBn5v4VGSoj9qokiNXw7RxKS5Xwbf8rhtyGL8sDRyQN_L6IxubEL7rqr0/s1600/Guava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvaEzqHWhMKozJqARLIgJAj6nuhtjx44TQSc_1Nk8yoE4SsWOiQT4qC6RkoTwlZM6LReLUQXgsEj5Eo9-2yeBn5v4VGSoj9qokiNXw7RxKS5Xwbf8rhtyGL8sDRyQN_L6IxubEL7rqr0/s640/Guava.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who hasn’t
had something <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_fruit" target="_blank">passion fruit</a> flavored, if not the actual fruit itself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I cut open my first passion fruit the
other day, there was no mistaking that sweet smell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was reminded of passion fruit infused
Snapple drinks and candies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I had a
look at the guts of the fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ugh…
black beetles stuck in snot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean,
there weren’t actually beetles in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or snot, for that matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
seeds do look like bugs and the flesh does look like phlegm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to stop and ask myself, “What bitter,
brokenhearted discoverer named this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">passion</i>
fruit?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless, we found the taste
slightly astringent, somewhat surprising, given the sweet smell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The seeds (also nontoxic) were pleasantly
crunchy which offset the slimy fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is my first impression of passion fruit, though they may not have
been ripe enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have one left and
we’re going to let it ripen more before trying it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If my opinion changes, I’ll let you know.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoYgfPHfI1CvHCtZam5te0zh9w3V6RBLgYIIus8IgfVqhPGueM5hB-MOc6UQQ3c4BQIPzXxGIRySlJ3b72AUdLBCrpfCndGCMPl8wSOhPVGYEi7IrTOacHxu65OQG_rrV9053dLg2qlc/s1600/Passionfruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoYgfPHfI1CvHCtZam5te0zh9w3V6RBLgYIIus8IgfVqhPGueM5hB-MOc6UQQ3c4BQIPzXxGIRySlJ3b72AUdLBCrpfCndGCMPl8wSOhPVGYEi7IrTOacHxu65OQG_rrV9053dLg2qlc/s640/Passionfruit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genip" target="_blank">Genips </a>are
being sold all over the island now and the fruit’s broken shells litter the
streets in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Locally known as “skinups,”
genips are a bitter, slimy fruit that grow in bunches and are cheap enough to
try, even if you don’t think you’ll like them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are about the size of a grape; the skin is green and the flesh is a
pinkish color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The skin (or shell) is
tough, but cracks when bitten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pit inside
is surrounded by a tacky, slimy flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You suck on the fruit and spit out the pit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWaDEoRE9eInwBqBGTtkv6lj5Vdgebg_J6rS5UxgKLKCIzkzeX2c1OO9LajJPXD5FgELR9Vm_yKhnU3QC5ShCUWhubaBhC5K4Djgzqm4UHl3mUCCJV6E3GpUVOA4Sbyp8CSW2rmt7MN4/s1600/Skinnups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWaDEoRE9eInwBqBGTtkv6lj5Vdgebg_J6rS5UxgKLKCIzkzeX2c1OO9LajJPXD5FgELR9Vm_yKhnU3QC5ShCUWhubaBhC5K4Djgzqm4UHl3mUCCJV6E3GpUVOA4Sbyp8CSW2rmt7MN4/s640/Skinnups.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Aside from
trying all of this new fruit (plus all of the other fruit I’d already tried
before), I also tried making refrigerator pickles for the first time (after hearing
about the success a friend had).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I
sliced up some cucumbers, garlic, seasoning peppers and Scotch bonnets and
threw them in a few jars with a mix of spices, topped it all off with a vinegar
and mustard brew, and refrigerated the lot for a couple days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assuming you’re a fan of dill pickles and
eye-watering spiciness, you’d <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i>
these pickles!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we are fans of
both: success!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMPDetOjoWCem86qeagIDWaQmSAmbeyJnIs20slWxVHHmGtqS6OUCDoTy12Zm27d5oKK6e8kan_tOMbOD6_HU7gQe3b6OmU_2nkKBSARGgJEwVU6AnAzhqTUi3JLv4ZTb-dsl4gFj7hY/s1600/Pickles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMPDetOjoWCem86qeagIDWaQmSAmbeyJnIs20slWxVHHmGtqS6OUCDoTy12Zm27d5oKK6e8kan_tOMbOD6_HU7gQe3b6OmU_2nkKBSARGgJEwVU6AnAzhqTUi3JLv4ZTb-dsl4gFj7hY/s640/Pickles.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Non-food
related updates:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbCBeD1PVsbyeVfyz7f_AG4DDPhBVbIFZzit10GQqFAuHbpGqQQ945J7z2003kfDhFNRlUKcXDnMeSUFtXee6fUYN5H32Yph8oQoMrzTi5wEB7XhDG0u5FswgBnRv9L9VTHa6ol6xCq4/s1600/IMG_1876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbCBeD1PVsbyeVfyz7f_AG4DDPhBVbIFZzit10GQqFAuHbpGqQQ945J7z2003kfDhFNRlUKcXDnMeSUFtXee6fUYN5H32Yph8oQoMrzTi5wEB7XhDG0u5FswgBnRv9L9VTHa6ol6xCq4/s320/IMG_1876.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We received
our first package from the States on August 20<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Ivan’s white coat and formal attire
(pretty idiotic thing to leave at home!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mom shipped it to us via USPS express shipping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took ten full days to arrive, which was
about five business days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The box was
basically trashed, but luckily there was nothing fragile inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We paid $17.50 EC in duty (I have no idea how
that particular amount was calculated).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The contents were searched (as all incoming packages are) and,
unfortunately, one of Ivan’s shoes was subjected to damaging scrutiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since that is his only pair of formal shoes,
we had no choice but to superglue it back together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ivan’s only worn those shoes a handful of
occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, we’re a
little peeved about the situation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1il90VqhWfz5FAkZFLF7w-D8WeuZ8sVlVDwxX-t8XjWHjEsxdyXStEDTY-IsTXptZ1X7g6lApQBojaK6-y9XFxIP8FptJ9PvxVXpWb-Vi9eFb6fpu1XCwf4NFDWLeiB0FAMh1uE1sPwE/s1600/IMG_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1il90VqhWfz5FAkZFLF7w-D8WeuZ8sVlVDwxX-t8XjWHjEsxdyXStEDTY-IsTXptZ1X7g6lApQBojaK6-y9XFxIP8FptJ9PvxVXpWb-Vi9eFb6fpu1XCwf4NFDWLeiB0FAMh1uE1sPwE/s320/IMG_1877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFCDcvHJzh290lCBXvsNeugp4m8J9idAXqOX74r6K-QcVR0qDlcrb2FrOom8UyUPDN1x0iz_Gximghu__3gZSYbXlajn5qTxslaWd6gJ1txjy6J8aLMVDVV0Vevd-TJsCLggw_vFHzwI/s1600/IMG_1879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFCDcvHJzh290lCBXvsNeugp4m8J9idAXqOX74r6K-QcVR0qDlcrb2FrOom8UyUPDN1x0iz_Gximghu__3gZSYbXlajn5qTxslaWd6gJ1txjy6J8aLMVDVV0Vevd-TJsCLggw_vFHzwI/s320/IMG_1879.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-ToMehKNzzfApmp0XMl9J7lMMs7uMnGCIspMqF5JsEI4tcj7-0g5L76fMGG62p1Tt7jNWoDlpdEDDf0xjsyP4ebQvngvQ59dO7tYPkKdVyI8c7N12sP-KQLqRvnJcunAyGqOFTdauXY/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-ToMehKNzzfApmp0XMl9J7lMMs7uMnGCIspMqF5JsEI4tcj7-0g5L76fMGG62p1Tt7jNWoDlpdEDDf0xjsyP4ebQvngvQ59dO7tYPkKdVyI8c7N12sP-KQLqRvnJcunAyGqOFTdauXY/s400/IMG_1880.JPG" width="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF-mbbI9sK2KCP1Rug6T_aesUpx7TVpUfJ2h4l49ouxV-oTIxqHkK_ywHIhNabdhUb3Ea31vtqLUFILLukyo1dyO1TJ7VYzNKw_vBHAi-pa1eLW1HfM-KBDgWuS3-pGDvrANXkG94kLI/s1600/IMG_1878.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF-mbbI9sK2KCP1Rug6T_aesUpx7TVpUfJ2h4l49ouxV-oTIxqHkK_ywHIhNabdhUb3Ea31vtqLUFILLukyo1dyO1TJ7VYzNKw_vBHAi-pa1eLW1HfM-KBDgWuS3-pGDvrANXkG94kLI/s320/IMG_1878.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdFBpOg2_4mEPk9JkYHe26gF2uwukd4g9anmmRSq7BzwOGV4BWpuDrHKfRyL38iXkIXOX1Jc_xY0y_kArlrpoK_EIKt9nuGbusbfLfrOFlfSVbwTRUy0_oMzX_ffroknlC5mzt5Wob40/s1600/IMG_1909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdFBpOg2_4mEPk9JkYHe26gF2uwukd4g9anmmRSq7BzwOGV4BWpuDrHKfRyL38iXkIXOX1Jc_xY0y_kArlrpoK_EIKt9nuGbusbfLfrOFlfSVbwTRUy0_oMzX_ffroknlC5mzt5Wob40/s320/IMG_1909.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
successfully completed our second <a href="http://grenadahash.com/" target="_blank">hash </a>of the term, Hash 742.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was full of the usual precariously placed
paths and mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ankles were polka
dotted with ant bites and scratches from the many thorn bushes we waded
through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we were rewarded with some
breathtaking views of the island.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrgjeAk9VlfSV3JZ2WesV-9eedzM855PeN3TNCfDVXUqiv3hF6SSfd2Iuf9AhOueQrrGJt63F5nfizm_Pyj-RX_VvA0zk1OYl6y8hKXQEklWLRvNsvF6JNAfx2NJRXYNODuW7aMQn4Jo/s1600/IMG_1896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrgjeAk9VlfSV3JZ2WesV-9eedzM855PeN3TNCfDVXUqiv3hF6SSfd2Iuf9AhOueQrrGJt63F5nfizm_Pyj-RX_VvA0zk1OYl6y8hKXQEklWLRvNsvF6JNAfx2NJRXYNODuW7aMQn4Jo/s640/IMG_1896.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">742--the hash number</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hyphenhyphenyNjP8lcbhkhiA62wk2Djyl9HnnRK2WftoexL2T_QOxZZYnfndTAsxXNau3WE-4JtpMvN_ZV1CtJcaJKmLF_Abo-nRrBu7IfDVvEe8Vs2piXuVMw4_OMVjks1Q3QFgFl6TR5VsPspc/s1600/IMG_1910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hyphenhyphenyNjP8lcbhkhiA62wk2Djyl9HnnRK2WftoexL2T_QOxZZYnfndTAsxXNau3WE-4JtpMvN_ZV1CtJcaJKmLF_Abo-nRrBu7IfDVvEe8Vs2piXuVMw4_OMVjks1Q3QFgFl6TR5VsPspc/s640/IMG_1910.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(left to right) Natalie, David, Ivan and I, Myra, Mark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJb18e6U7ZE9V7JWHp3hQACTTeJQmrC3LLVQtbRavf6b9_oyKEcpBR6nXUTQPTRGgDvXyOxqg82Zrs8jhU1DgyLc1MnjwsfoPd5xFJijcq99_YJX3VbfqTNCjAmDtBqIGipAJ7uw2Axo/s1600/IMG_1915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJb18e6U7ZE9V7JWHp3hQACTTeJQmrC3LLVQtbRavf6b9_oyKEcpBR6nXUTQPTRGgDvXyOxqg82Zrs8jhU1DgyLc1MnjwsfoPd5xFJijcq99_YJX3VbfqTNCjAmDtBqIGipAJ7uw2Axo/s640/IMG_1915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHLxKs6xUqrSX0RG4o27BpIlR2dIF4LseOjWTZg1LU8LvEDXx8w-XHcKI6kDbT5DSFPUSv77xaRsL3ga-z0wkjgohdQK7g9sSwTwqjj75LoptaAbHpCr59uJ-DNfN3zYIgcZI0LrS9bE/s1600/IMG_1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHLxKs6xUqrSX0RG4o27BpIlR2dIF4LseOjWTZg1LU8LvEDXx8w-XHcKI6kDbT5DSFPUSv77xaRsL3ga-z0wkjgohdQK7g9sSwTwqjj75LoptaAbHpCr59uJ-DNfN3zYIgcZI0LrS9bE/s640/IMG_1916.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JtnR8URWt_KZr0J8jHS9HzZSoLamHOvffezB2gRBrnvyZ7pNi5ZE4I4RL3sp9PwPU7OlzPB2UJrPby-Gx6QQFLhZ1L2DOEy2RodT13mHu9afGtLDAG7RFE9_FsehKfq9OudZxw1iqNI/s1600/IMG_1926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JtnR8URWt_KZr0J8jHS9HzZSoLamHOvffezB2gRBrnvyZ7pNi5ZE4I4RL3sp9PwPU7OlzPB2UJrPby-Gx6QQFLhZ1L2DOEy2RodT13mHu9afGtLDAG7RFE9_FsehKfq9OudZxw1iqNI/s640/IMG_1926.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty neat swing</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We’ve also
been social butterflies, in between Ivan’s studying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played dress-up for a dinner party and
broke in my new Yahtzee and Apples to Apples games.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJHM46-YZ3EVkSGWiJjQgAo7ixKKVV2kawpv7eWQQkUoy9e8sJDXpqY3MOWehTfRDJ7rrhR4MzHP_qbkh4S3do7cPpJ8z_fFguc4qlqKWQSMJl2GOaVPL8heE94Y7CIICl5MFnlXgRUA/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJHM46-YZ3EVkSGWiJjQgAo7ixKKVV2kawpv7eWQQkUoy9e8sJDXpqY3MOWehTfRDJ7rrhR4MzHP_qbkh4S3do7cPpJ8z_fFguc4qlqKWQSMJl2GOaVPL8heE94Y7CIICl5MFnlXgRUA/s640/IMG_1849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking suave</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVNZXUbm1SgMSZ8nGkctqUvxFh3jWrHs0N5vsxG-rvA2ZvwYnBhehQhxpuPilWhzLWmaE9ik1x6-2766Mo0ix4FBSOINKjs7NcGaIsyVsryi971s6hH_rZUIQuLSRH8tYKNBarV1jTTQ/s1600/IMG_1867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVNZXUbm1SgMSZ8nGkctqUvxFh3jWrHs0N5vsxG-rvA2ZvwYnBhehQhxpuPilWhzLWmaE9ik1x6-2766Mo0ix4FBSOINKjs7NcGaIsyVsryi971s6hH_rZUIQuLSRH8tYKNBarV1jTTQ/s640/IMG_1867.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Speaking of Ivan’s
studying, he is now into his core classes, having finished Parasitology and CPM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took his finals for these two courses
earlier this week, starting this term off <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i>
successfully!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>Allison Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598378043271109639noreply@blogger.com1Grenada12.1165 -61.67911.8681035 -61.994857 12.3648965 -61.363143