Still in St. Lucia

Hello Everyone!!

So I feel guilty that I have not updated my blog. I know a few of you hang off of my every word and I am sure you are going through shaky withdrawals because I have beeen neglecting you for so long! JUST JOKING! But seriously, I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still here and I am doing well. It is hard to update the blog with new experiences when I am finally comfortable enough here that I do not have many new experiences. Things are starting to become regular and therefore un-newsworthy.

Ok.. scratch that last part. I cannot believe I have not written in my blog since Sarah came to visit back in March! It has been awhile! It was great having Sarah here. She brought me treats from home and it was comforting to have the familiar with me in the flesh. We had a great time and I think she would support me when I say that she fell in love with St. Lucia. The two weeks she was here were jam packed with adventure. I am going to set up her trip as a list because we did sooo much! I might have to refer to our photos to remember everything--
Her first night we went to a club in Gros Islet
Second day we went to Klu's Chicken and a beach party in Laborie
We had a sunset picnic at the beach
Suntanning at many different beaches
The Dennery zip line through the rainforest
Gros Islet Street Fair (twice)
Anse-La-Raye Fish Fry
Sulphur Springs (during the day and at night)
Piton Falls (at night, much more exciting than during the day)
A hike across the rainforest and then an even longer hike to a waterfall afterwards
Many trips to "Pizza Hut" (Same name, but not what you are thinking)
An AMAZING dinner at Debbie's
A few more trips to Klu's (I think there 5 trips in 2 weeks. A new record)
Took a trip to a Kweyol history/museum place (including a local meal)
Went to Balenbouche Estate
Sarah assisted with the Piaye After School Program

PHEW... As you can tell we kept very busy!!

So Sarah's visit was fun and it was a little vacation for me too. Then it was back to work. The school year wraps up on July 3rd so I am trying to plan activities for this summer. I am going to be a co-leader of a Girl Guide Company (read Girl Scout Troop) at a Primary school in Choiseul. We have already had our first meeting and we are having a sleepover tonight! That has been keeping me busy the last few weeks. School has also been interesting because it there are wage disputes between the teachers and the Goverment. The teachers have been on strike for a few days this term and they have said that if they do not get paid their full wages on May 26th then they will strike again until they get paid. The strike is not only for teachers but for all civil servants so it could really slow down the country. We will have to wait until next week. This summer, besides my family visiting for 2 weeks (!!!!!!!!!!), I am planning a few different activities. I will be helping out the National Council of/for Persons with Disabilities with a summer camp for disabled children. A few days ago I started brainstorming ideas to start a Children's Reading program at the Choiseul Library. It is in very early stages (I have yet to meet with the Librarian) but I am really excited about the idea!!

Anyway, I hope it is evident through this post that I am thoroughly enjoying my time in St. Lucia. Every once in awhile I have to take a step back and pinch myself. I have been living here for 9 months!!! I love St. Lucia, especially Choiseul, and I am at a very happy place in my life. (There are always ups and downs but more positive than negative) I hope everyone is doing well at home. Congratulations to all of the new graduates and I hope everyone enjoys the warm weather I have been experiencing since last year! I love you all!!
Kelli


P.S. This post might seem like I am sickeningly happy. I will attribute that to the Nuggets winning last night's game. The series is tied 1-1 and they are coming back to Denver!!!! Get 'em!!!

My Peace Corps Top Ten

The Top Ten signs you are a Peace Corps Volunteer, in the Eastern Caribbean, EC 78, Currently living in Choiseul, St. Lucia....

10. Suddenly showering has become less of a priority and your hair does not get washed more than a few times a week. You consider a warm bucket bath more fulfilling than a cold shower.

9. Popcorn, Oatmeal, and water are three of your main food groups.

8. You randomly run into your Priest in your office and he kindly reminds you that he has not seen you for awhile.

7. At least once a day you are told you are beautiful. This is flattering at first until it happens when you have been sweating for an hour and your are wearing shorts and a t-shirt. You suddenly realize that everyone just says that and it has nothing to do with you. But you are still flattered every time you hear it. Or you are told... "I like to see you."

6. Even though your dog has passed away, your veterinarian gives you rides in order to hit on you. He says that if you move in with him (and his 2 daughters who are almost your age) then he will "take care of you."

5. You receive odd text messages from random men you have met. More than once I have received, "I love you" from people that I hardly know. There was also the text message about someone wetting their pants...but I won't get into that one."

4. You get to work everyday by hitching rides with strangers. It saves you $1.50 EC (The bus fare) and it is surprisingly reliable form of transportation.

3. Running and reading are daily activities, as well as illegally watching movies on the internet.

2. You wake up every morning to a view of the Caribbean Sea and Gros Piton and every night you can watch the sunset over the water and shower while looking out the window at Gros Piton.

1. You are frequently awakened by your cell phone alarm randomly going off in the middle of the night. Even though you set it for 6:30AM. If the cell phone does not wake you up it is the goats/sheep dry heaving/puking outside of your window. (This has happened at least 6 times in the past few weeks.)

One Small Risk

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!!!

January 30th, 2009

Although it has been less than a month since my last entry I have some sad news. On Friday, January 9th my little pup decided to escape from my porch and play around in the street. He was struck by a car and what I saw from the aftermath leads me to assume that he died on impact so he did not suffer very much pain. My friends and family were there for support and I am amazed at how much I loved the little guy after only knowing him for a month and a half. Since it has been a few weeks, I am doing much better but I still miss him all the time. He was so cute and such a ball of energy. I do not think he can ever be replaced. St. Lucian's have an interesting view of dogs as nothing more than pets. Once the kids in my neighborhood found out about PJ they all asked when I was going to get another one. They think I should just replace him with a new puppy and get over it. For the next year at least I will not be getting another puppy. I will re-revaluate in a year or so but I do not think I can handle another one right now, and I don't want to try to replace little PJ. Anyway, on the happier topics.

I am trying to get into work now. While spending a lot of time in the Education Office I also spend my time doing crafts at a beautiful estate named Balenbouche. It was an old plantation, maintained for a few hundred years, it is breathtaking. I go every Tuesday to do crafts with a group of people who are from the National Council of/for Persons with Disabilities. I am also working with a nearby volunteer, Jessica, assisting with an after school program that she set up. She was able to secure a $10,000 grant to run the program!! I feel honored to help out with her project, not to mention, the children in the program are adorable. They are in 4th and 5th grade and even though they are loud and rowdy, they are all good, sweet kids. I say that because I work with them twice a week but if I was their teacher everyday I might be singing a different tune!! On Friday afternoons I assist with football training for the boys near my house. Then during the weekdays I attend meetings and I am involved with the Education Office. I do not have any concrete activities yet but hopefully soon I will start some of my own. I am hoping to begin working with the Primary Schools to start some after school programs such as Environmental Club, Health and Wellness Club, and Sports Clubs. The Girl Guides/Boy Scouts movement is beginning but it is a very slow process so hopefully by this time next year I can say that all of the school have these groups.

There have been fun activities off and on. Currently I am excited for a party tonight at my office for a few birthdays. I will spend all of tomorrow cleaning my house because on Sunday I am hosting a Super Bowl Party. We are getting ribs!!! This is a huge deal since I have not had meat (besides chicken) for about 5 months. So I am very excited! Anyway, I have a things to get done at work so I will write soon, hopefully with happy news. I hope everyone is doing well. I miss and love you all!!!

Kelli

Some Holiday Photos

Happy 2009!!

AAAAHHHH!!! I cannot believe that it is already 2009. That means that in a year I will be coming home! (actually I return home in October 2010 but if one was only looking at the year then it would seem much faster) The holiday season has come and passed. Thankfully I survived, although there was a lot of homesickness in December I survived, thanks largely in part to my friends on the island and to my adorable pup, PJ. His fully name is PJ Sparkles and he is the love of my life! It was very difficult to raise him at first but things are slowly getting better. I spend more time at home in order to be with him and I can not spend nights away from home. Did I mention how adorable he is?? I do not really notice his growth since I am with him all the time but after looking at pictures from when I first got him I have realized the he is getting huge! Although he is difficult to train he is very smart. (I know everyone says that about their pets, and their children, but it is true) I have finally taught him to quit biting my toes but he still tries to chew on my fingers. He has taught me that dogs, like children, are best tog et when they are babies because they are soo cute you cannot get mad at them. Then, by the time they are old, you are already so in love with them that you put up with their craziness. That is just a little theory I have been working on but I definitely think it rings true. Anyway, he is a HUGE responsibility but I love him and I am very happy I made the decision to become a dog owner. 

   So the holidays in St. Lucia...Thanksgiving was delicious!! My favorite part was eating the fudge that Margo's sister brought. Margo is the Peace Corps director for the Eastern Caribbean. The food was amazing and it was shared with great company. The month of December was slow because it was more of a family style month in Choiseul. There was not much work to be done so I spent my time hanging out with friends and playing with PJ. On December 23rd we were all invited to a lunch at the house of the Peace Corps Warden, Bill Jackson. I am still unclear what a "Peace Corps Warden" does but he and his wife were incredibly nice to host us for a Christmas meal. The food was amazing!!! I ate 3 plates full or turkey, ham, stuffing and other scrumptious side dishes. Then on Christmas eve I went to midnight mass. It was supposed to begin at 11 PM. I arrived at 11:20 and mass finally began at 11:45. The service was nice but because of the heavy rain it was pretty empty. I still felt like I fulfilled my Catholic obligations by attending and it was a nice way to end 2008. On Christmas Day I spoke with my family over the internet and visited with a few of my friends from Choiseul. It was very laid back and I really missed home but surviving Christmas has made me stronger. 

New Years Eve was much different than Christmas. My friends Hallie and Jason, fellow Peace Corps volunteers, came to my house so we could celebrate together. Hallie did not feel well so Jason adn I went to the village to celebrate. We participated in a St. Lucian tradition known as a Jou ouve` (which is the Patois name for dawn or daybreak). Basically, you stay up until the sun rises. Jason and I had our fair share of Pitons (the beer brewed in St. Lucia) and we had a great time among my friends from Choiseul. It was surprising how many people I knew and it was nice to feel surrounded by friends to welcome in the New Year. Today is my first day back at work. I am excited to get back to work and I cannot wait to see what 2009 has in store! A few other highlights from break.... Visiting a few secluded beaches with the other volunteers. A hike across the rainforest from one side of the island to the other and back again. And attending an event at the field near my house called, "Square." On the last week of school in December I also went with a group of teachers from my school to climb Gros Piton which is a huge mountain in St. Lucia. The aforementioned beer is named after this mountain and Petit Piton the other in the mountain range. I have been keeping busy but still enjoying myself. I hope that everyone had a great holiday season and they are optimistic for 2009. I love and miss you all!!!

Kelli

a few pics to be followed by a Christmas Post!!

The First sweaty picture is of me on top of Gros Piton. The second picture is before the hike when we went to see how cocoa sticks are made. It took all of my strength to crank the cocoa grinder, I could not imagine doing that everyday! The third picture is of the cookout we had on my porch. I inherited the Peace Corps Grill along with my house so the girls cooked us some delicious chicken. My new puppy, PJ Sparkles. He was named after a doll that Heather and I had when we were little. So far he has been a challenge but also a joy to have in my life. The last picture is of some Peace Corps ladies before we went out to a concert. It was entitled, Lovefest, and although I did not fall in love I had a great time.