On this Friday afternoon I decided that my earlier post was far too upsetting. I have a tendency to tell all of my funny and entertaining stories to the people I speak with everyday and only the sad upsetting stories stay in my head. With that new revelation in mind I am going to write a quick post about a my past Saturday Night. I made a conscious effort on Saturday to avoid using electronics. (I had to use my cell phone because I was meeting a few volunteers to go to the beach) So, it is not completely possible to avoid technology but I stayed away from the internet and my cable television all day! I considered this a huge accomplishment. I woke up in the morning and had a nice cup of tea and oatmeal for breakfast. I cleaned my house because two volunteers were coming over to o to the beach near my house. I got ready for them to arrive (read- threw on my swim suit and a little sunscreen on my face) and sat in front of my fan reading until they arrived. The night before a began reading "A Plain Life." It is about a quaker man and a pilgrimage he took while discussing life lessons. It was a great book. Anyway, I read as much of the book as I could until my friends arrived. I also made some popcorn in the meantime so that we could have a snack at the beach. Once Jess and Eric arrived we walked the 5 minutes to the beach near my house. The spelling is questionable but it is pronounced Sab-wee-sha. That is how I spell it but I have also seen it Sabwisha, and a few other ways. Anyway, we had a lime at the beach for a few hours. We ate our popcorn, sun bathed, and bathed in the Caribbean sea. Eric and Jess had plans so they needed to get home by 2. We were fortunate that my friend, Jerry, happened to be driving by at the exact moment that we were beginning the trek home. The walk is only about 10 minutes, but it is up two steep hills and after the thrashing we took from the waves it would have been difficult. Jerry, always helping me out, drove us up to my driveway. My friends left and I continued to read for a few more hours. I was close to finishing my book but I desperately needed groceries. I walked into the village saying "Good afternoon" to mostly friends but also a few strangers. I walked down the main street to Kirk's fruit stand. Kirk is one of my best friends in the village. Although he is always in my business, as the "white lady" in town I have come to expect people asking me super personal questions without really knowing me. Anyway, him and I hang out at his fruit stand and share jokes and laughter. He is also a good source of gossip for what is happening in the village since he is sitting at his shop everyday! After I hung out with him for 10 or 20 minutes I went into the little grocery store next door. When I say little, I mean little! It is about the size of a gas station rest stop except there is no restaurant attached. There are 2 mains shop like this one in Choiseul Village and they explain why I generally shop for my groceries in Vieux Fort. Anyway, I by my groceries and head home. It is about 5:30 PM and the sun is beginning to set over the ocean. On my way home I run into my friend, Nico who is repainting the sign advertising his bar, "Headquarters." The bar shares its name with the main Peace Corps office so you can imagine how I play on the words when I am bored.
My fellow volunteer Mary-Ellen calls-- "Hey Kelli, what are you doing?"
Me--"Oh nothing, just grabbing a beer at Headquarters."
Mary-Ellen-- "You are in Castries?"
Me-- "No, the bar by my house."
Anyway, that little dialogue was much more entertaining in my head. Back to my story...Nico invited me to a party at Headquarters (hahah, get it?) later that night. Up to Saturday night, when I would go out at night in Choiseul I would always have a fellow whitey (read that as Peace Corps Volunteer) by my side so I did not feel so awkward. Being that none of my friends were in town I was nervous to go to the party. I went home, had a glass of wine, watched the sunset, finished my book and decided that without internet or television, I could either go to bed, or go out and take a small risk. I got dressed and went down to Headquarters. (I know that time it at least made you smile) Upon arrival I did not know anyone. If you want to quiet a party in St. Lucia, throw a random white girl into a small family party in Choiseul! I went to the bar and luckily Nico's mom recognized me and found Nico for me. Another interesting Saint Lucian cultural gem, since I came to bar and met up with Nico, everyone at the party assumed we were dating. They probably still assume that but if that is the case then they probably think I am dating half of the men in Choiseul. I hung out with Nico for awhile only to be told a few hours later that the party was the continuation of a wake held for Nico's deceased grandmother. I did not realize that I was crashing a funeral party but it was still fun. I got to know a few of my neighbors and I even saw a few people that already knew. By the end of the night I had 4 Pitons, a dozen great conversations, a few new friends and a few days later one of my neighbors sent me 15 sweet potatoes from her garden. I am still deciding what to do with them. Anyway, the moral of the story is, I put in a little effort to put myself out there and I had a great time. It was truly another day in Paradise! Although a lot of my blogs talk about big events, it is the day to day happenings that are leading me to fall in love with Choiseul.
A quick little note. Recently I have been in to spirituality and self-help types of books. "A Plain Life" was a great book. My mom is sending me a copy of "The Shack." If anyone has any suggestions of other books like this please let me know!
Sending love from St. Lucia!!!
