10NOV08 to 16NOV08 - Bequia

Monday - I rode the vans to Layou for a meeting with the Community Development Officers and some PC Volunteers. Since the Layou Resource Center was locked, we had to move to the Police Station's court room to hold the meeting.
Afterwards, I went grocery shopping. As is common in St. Vincent, I went to 3 different shops to get what I needed. And I only had about 5 things on my shopping list! Back at Liberty Lodge, I was able to complete the cleaning of the computer lab. It is now ready to be put back together on Tuesday!
Jarod came by my place, and we played American football in the street with Kerene and Kimberly. Then Uncle Ben conducted an exercise class for us in his driveway/roof. It was fun to see people's reaction as they walked by us. "Tantie" Stephanie gave me some fried (and roasted) breadfruit as I was leaving. It was my first chance to try it, and it was tasty.
Tuesday - In the morning, one of the boys at Liberty Lodge helped me put the computer lab back together. I brought 4 boys over to the Green Hill Hardcourt for basketball practice. The other coach didn't show up. I introduced them to the the game "pig." Afterwards, I played tennis with Mr. Akers. It was a difficult, but fun, 5 hour stretch of sports. Chesley called, and we went to a birthday party for one of the 4-H Club members. They had some nice carrot cake to celebrate, and also a candy called a tomato ball. One of her friends got really drunk, and the party ended abruptly.
Wednesday - Meeting w/SVGPLUS and Liberty Lodge Staff to discuss the Safe Health Practices project plan for the boys. 

Thursday - Went to Peace Corps Office to have meeting about applying for additional Peace Corps Response Volunteers in SVG. 

Friday - Noah came over and we talked about music for hours. 

Saturday - Took the morning ferry to Bequia with Noah, Shelby, Brandon, and Bethany. We checked into Keegan's Hotel, and went swimming. Then Kate and Dane had their wedding ceremony on Princess Margaret Beach. Then we went to a fancy bar, washed up back at the hotel, then headed into "town." We had Mexican food at Tommy's Cantina. My first taste of Mexican food in months...luckily there are plenty of delicious food options in St. Vincent. Then we went to the Salty Dog to celebrate the wedding and Todd's birthday. At the end of the night, I ended up sleeping on a cushion on the floor next to a window, since all the beds were taken. Everytime it rained during the night, water kept dripping on me. 

Sunday - Took the early morning ferry back to Kingstown after waking around Bequia for a while. Upon returning, I noticed that Foodcity was open on a Sunday, so I did some grocery shopping. I was not able to get a van back up to Green Hill, so I had to lug my groceries up the hill. I had a nice lunch with Eileen and family, and then took it easy the rest of the afternoon. The GHSCC meeting I was supposed to go to ended up being cancelled. 

Week of 03NOV - Election Week!

Monday - after spending most of the day cleaning the fungus/mold out of the computer lab at Liberty Lodge, I went in town to shop. It was my landlord's birthday, so I got her a couple of things. I also stopped by Todd's place, since he had been sick with the flu. I delivered his presents to my landlord (who had once been his host mom).
Tuesday - ELECTION DAY! We had our 1st basketball practice with 8 of the boys from the Liberty Lodge Boys Training Centre. Coach Vasher Adams came from the Ministry of Sports to assist in coaching.

The US Ambassador to Barbados put on a nice party for us at The Attic Jazz Club in Kingstown. Most of the Peace Corps Volunteers were there, and we were all very happy with the result. As so many people are saying, I am very proud of the USA, it's people and it's future government. We stayed up to 3AM to watch Obama's speech and to discuss all the implications.
Wednesday - Slept late, following election night. I continued cleaning up in the computer lab. Afterward, I went to the National Tennis Center with Mr. Akers to play tennis again. He has won all 3 matches we have played!
Thursday - I attended an HIV/AIDS training seminar at the Marion House in Kingstown. There were about 7 other PC Volunteers there. At one point, they broke us up into groups for a game of charades. Our group had to act out the words "orgasm" and "sex worker." It was so funny.
Friday - Day 2 of the HIV/AIDS training. Everyone had the opportunity to practice putting a female condom on a plastic replica of the special parts of a woman. We had a role playing activity in the afternoon. My group had to act out that I was the American love interest of a Vincentian man with a wife and 3 kids. It was hard to keep a straight face during it, but a couple said that we acted it out pretty well.
After class, some of us went to DLime for a drink. Then we went to Heritage Sq for some liming. I ran into many people that I knew. Eventually, the Canadians showed up, and we went to a bar. Their boss was there, who was really fun to talk to. I walked back up to Green Hill, as I didn't want to wait for a van (bus) that wasn't full.
Saturday - I hiked up to the top of Fenton Mountain (the 2nd highest mountain in Green Hill). I saw a couple of hummingbirds along the way. It is one of the most quiet and peaceful places I have been so far here in St. Vincent. I got a great view of the Caribbean Sea, the village of Green Hill, and Port Charlotte. I could even see the town of Villa in the distance. On my walk back, it started pouring like crazy, and I got completely soaked. It felt nice after the hike.
Chesley came by in the evening, and we watched videos on YouTube, such as Obama's 1st press conference and Skinny Fabulous' Carnival performane.
Sunday - I got ready to go to church with Eileen (my landlord), but she wasn't going due to issues with her kitchen tile installation. She made a nice Sunday lunch for us. After chilling out with Todd and Courtney for a while, I brought my AMERICAN football up to Liberty Lodge. I took 7 of the boys over to the Green Hill courts for a practice and a scrimmage. It went well for possibly their 1st introduction to American Football.
I tried to do some ironing, but I almost started an electrical fire! I think that my iron's wattage is way to high for my step-down transformer. Oh well, I'll just have to have wrinkly clothes for 2 years!