Got to sleep in a little today and took a shower in a real working shower again. We left at 11 for Hi Lo shopping trip. $60 and a pile of food later, we headed home. For all that Trinidad is supposed to be cheaper the food is pretty much US priced, probably because everything has to be imported.
After getting back I met Giorgio and we went on a little adventure to his parents house to pick fruit from their trees. He designs costumes for Carnival for his job! We got back about 3 and I watched the second episode of the new season of Sherlock. After our 7pm meeting to discuss curriculum information for our upcoming classes Aubrey and I watched the last episode of Sherlock together. The rest of the evening was Skyping with Daniel and my parents and bed!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Leaving Tobago
Woke up at 8 and finally felt like I got enough sleep. Had breakfast and packed my last few things away; I'm ready for the long drive to the airport! Most everyone else is still going nuts packing since they were out late last night.
I really enjoyed being on Tobago (despite the lack of wifi) and having some time to relax on the beach. We did a lot of really amazing activities. Still, I'm looking forward to being back in my own room, getting to know Tunapuna, and settling in before school starts. I already have a friend who lives here, Giorgio, and I'd like to be able to meet him longer than the few minutes at the Parang last week!
Slept on the bus ride in again until we stopped at Cape Fort George for some pictures. While taking pictures of Brendan a guy with a guitar walked up and started singing and playing to us. He thought we were married and kept singing about how we were lovebirds while we kept laughing and shaking our heads no. Finally we escaped and got back on the bus; just a 15 minute drive to the airport!
Once we checked our bags we picked up lunch at one of the little stores by the airport and waited to board. The flight was quick again, although we had to wait forever for our bags. Once back I got on the computer and skyped with Daniel and my parents as I loaded photos. After our wrap up at 7 the evening was mostly talking and pictures.
I really enjoyed being on Tobago (despite the lack of wifi) and having some time to relax on the beach. We did a lot of really amazing activities. Still, I'm looking forward to being back in my own room, getting to know Tunapuna, and settling in before school starts. I already have a friend who lives here, Giorgio, and I'd like to be able to meet him longer than the few minutes at the Parang last week!
Slept on the bus ride in again until we stopped at Cape Fort George for some pictures. While taking pictures of Brendan a guy with a guitar walked up and started singing and playing to us. He thought we were married and kept singing about how we were lovebirds while we kept laughing and shaking our heads no. Finally we escaped and got back on the bus; just a 15 minute drive to the airport!
Once we checked our bags we picked up lunch at one of the little stores by the airport and waited to board. The flight was quick again, although we had to wait forever for our bags. Once back I got on the computer and skyped with Daniel and my parents as I loaded photos. After our wrap up at 7 the evening was mostly talking and pictures.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Tobago Day 6
I forgot to say, a few nights ago I saw my first firefly! Mike, our professor, said they aren't as common as they used to be. It's not what I thought it would look like, it flashed on and off instead of lighting up continuously. I saw some more of them this evening as well.
We had a nice hike through the rainforest although 4:45am is WAY to early to be up. It was nice and cool right up until we left and the sun started heating things up. Saw some rare birds and hummingbirds and a freshwater fish, crab, and a trap door spider hole. We also saw a White tailed saber wing humming bird which is one of six rare species in the world if I remember our guide correctly.
Everyone decided to skip the waterfall because no lunch places were open and it would also be another trek through the mud WITHOUT boots this time. No thank you! We decided to try going to one on Trinidad.
I think some people might go to Pirate's Bay when they get back; I think I will relax on the beach outside the cabin. The waves are too rough at the bay to comfortably swim in.
It's a good thing we aren't staying at the cabin longer as things keep breaking. The shower never really worked, the fridge broke, one of the curtain rods keeps falling down, and then last night the faucet handle came off and only one works now. Few days more and it might fall down on top of us!
Once we got back everyone made lunch and then slept for the afternoon. I read my book and laid in the sun for a while. Being a white female on the beach, though, does not lend itself to a relaxing time. Every male Trini walking past thinks he must personally woo you. Never mind that he's in his 50s! It just takes being very very firm. I finally moved inside to finish my book. When I was done I walked in to town to the library and dropped them off. There was only about an hour until dinner so Brendan and I talked and packed while the girls went into town to buy liqueur. They are going to the bar later this evening.
Dinner was some kind of noodle salad, pork, and rice. Two lizards kept us company during dinner; getting pretty bold about coming close to eat moths. After dinner Brendan and I did dishes and I got a passion fruit to try tonight. The girls went to go drink and I'll probably go to bed early tonight. Going home tomorrow! Can't wait to be able to talk to everyone! And we still have a week until school starts at UWI.
We had a nice hike through the rainforest although 4:45am is WAY to early to be up. It was nice and cool right up until we left and the sun started heating things up. Saw some rare birds and hummingbirds and a freshwater fish, crab, and a trap door spider hole. We also saw a White tailed saber wing humming bird which is one of six rare species in the world if I remember our guide correctly.
Everyone decided to skip the waterfall because no lunch places were open and it would also be another trek through the mud WITHOUT boots this time. No thank you! We decided to try going to one on Trinidad.
I think some people might go to Pirate's Bay when they get back; I think I will relax on the beach outside the cabin. The waves are too rough at the bay to comfortably swim in.
It's a good thing we aren't staying at the cabin longer as things keep breaking. The shower never really worked, the fridge broke, one of the curtain rods keeps falling down, and then last night the faucet handle came off and only one works now. Few days more and it might fall down on top of us!
Once we got back everyone made lunch and then slept for the afternoon. I read my book and laid in the sun for a while. Being a white female on the beach, though, does not lend itself to a relaxing time. Every male Trini walking past thinks he must personally woo you. Never mind that he's in his 50s! It just takes being very very firm. I finally moved inside to finish my book. When I was done I walked in to town to the library and dropped them off. There was only about an hour until dinner so Brendan and I talked and packed while the girls went into town to buy liqueur. They are going to the bar later this evening.
Dinner was some kind of noodle salad, pork, and rice. Two lizards kept us company during dinner; getting pretty bold about coming close to eat moths. After dinner Brendan and I did dishes and I got a passion fruit to try tonight. The girls went to go drink and I'll probably go to bed early tonight. Going home tomorrow! Can't wait to be able to talk to everyone! And we still have a week until school starts at UWI.
Tobago Day 5
Yesterday right before bed I had a nice talk with Pipe (pronounced P-pay) about what it's like being engaged, etc. I got to coo over Daniel a little, but it just made me miss him more!
Today we got ourselves together to get on the bus talking us to Buccoo reef. Everyone is really tired; we all plan to sleep the drive to the other end of the island. We are headed to Storebay today; we will be back Sunday to go to the airport. It is about an hour and a half drive to get from one end of the island to the other. From Storebay we can go out on the reef and do some shopping as well as lay on the beach or hang out.
Tobago (and maybe Trinidad) is one of the only places where a bus will stop and talk to people in cars. I just watched both drivers fist bump out the window. Everyone knows everyone and if you don't talk to them it is very rude.
After getting to Store Bay we paid 60TT ($9.30US) to go on a tour. After looking around the souvenir stands some (I found a little ring to wear instead of my engagement one left at home) we got shuttled over to Pigeon Point to get on the boat. It was a glass bottom boat which meant the middle of the boat were three plexiglass squares surrounded by benches. We rode out for about 20 minutes and then stopped over the coral. It was pretty shallow and easy to see the coral and fish. I thought I remembered it being more colorful, but maybe that was just in Hawaii or Florida. After learning the names of the fish and coral they threw out a life ring and let us get in and hold into the rope as we snorkeled. If you were a good swimmer you didn't have to, but it was kind of rough so everyone did.
After snorkeling we went to the Nylon Pool. Because of how the waves and current came together it dumps sand there and makes it really shallow even though you are in the middle of the ocean. In most places it's waist deep although we walked to where it was maybe a foot deep. After spending time playing there we stopped one last time at a little island/point with a lagoon inside and went swimming.
After getting back we got lunch; I got a buss up shut (roti with the filling on the side and the roti bread is torn into pieces; makes eating easier). There was free wifi so for the last hour I ate and talked to Daniel and my mom. We all got ice cream before we got on the bus for the drive back. Homemade coconut ice cream never tasted so good!
Everyone slept the drive home and then slept another hour till dinner. Dinner was fried flying fish (pretty good!) rice, lentils, and some veggies. I came back and packed for tomorrow since we are leaving at 6am. Some of the girls are heading into town; I'm not sure if they're planning on drinking and dancing some more or just hanging out. I plan on going to bed early!
Tomorrow we have an hour and a half drive to the rainforest where we will take a two hour tour. After that we will stop for lunch and then head to another tour. A guide will take us to a waterfall where we can swim and hang out for a while. After that the day is free to do what we want.
Sunday we leave for the airport at 9am; we fly out at 12ish and then it's a short drive to the Lodge! I finally have all my decorations up in my room and there's not much wall space left! I love being surrounded by the pictures of friends and animals. I will also be back to my little pack of stuffed animals; I forgot my bear this week!
Today we got ourselves together to get on the bus talking us to Buccoo reef. Everyone is really tired; we all plan to sleep the drive to the other end of the island. We are headed to Storebay today; we will be back Sunday to go to the airport. It is about an hour and a half drive to get from one end of the island to the other. From Storebay we can go out on the reef and do some shopping as well as lay on the beach or hang out.
Tobago (and maybe Trinidad) is one of the only places where a bus will stop and talk to people in cars. I just watched both drivers fist bump out the window. Everyone knows everyone and if you don't talk to them it is very rude.
After getting to Store Bay we paid 60TT ($9.30US) to go on a tour. After looking around the souvenir stands some (I found a little ring to wear instead of my engagement one left at home) we got shuttled over to Pigeon Point to get on the boat. It was a glass bottom boat which meant the middle of the boat were three plexiglass squares surrounded by benches. We rode out for about 20 minutes and then stopped over the coral. It was pretty shallow and easy to see the coral and fish. I thought I remembered it being more colorful, but maybe that was just in Hawaii or Florida. After learning the names of the fish and coral they threw out a life ring and let us get in and hold into the rope as we snorkeled. If you were a good swimmer you didn't have to, but it was kind of rough so everyone did.
After snorkeling we went to the Nylon Pool. Because of how the waves and current came together it dumps sand there and makes it really shallow even though you are in the middle of the ocean. In most places it's waist deep although we walked to where it was maybe a foot deep. After spending time playing there we stopped one last time at a little island/point with a lagoon inside and went swimming.
After getting back we got lunch; I got a buss up shut (roti with the filling on the side and the roti bread is torn into pieces; makes eating easier). There was free wifi so for the last hour I ate and talked to Daniel and my mom. We all got ice cream before we got on the bus for the drive back. Homemade coconut ice cream never tasted so good!
Everyone slept the drive home and then slept another hour till dinner. Dinner was fried flying fish (pretty good!) rice, lentils, and some veggies. I came back and packed for tomorrow since we are leaving at 6am. Some of the girls are heading into town; I'm not sure if they're planning on drinking and dancing some more or just hanging out. I plan on going to bed early!
Tomorrow we have an hour and a half drive to the rainforest where we will take a two hour tour. After that we will stop for lunch and then head to another tour. A guide will take us to a waterfall where we can swim and hang out for a while. After that the day is free to do what we want.
Sunday we leave for the airport at 9am; we fly out at 12ish and then it's a short drive to the Lodge! I finally have all my decorations up in my room and there's not much wall space left! I love being surrounded by the pictures of friends and animals. I will also be back to my little pack of stuffed animals; I forgot my bear this week!
Friday, January 10, 2014
Tobago Day 4
Class was an hour shorter this morning which was nice; it was our last one till next week since we are busy the next few days. Tomorrow we go to Buccoo Reef and Saturday is the rain forest. Then Sunday we fly home!
After class John, Chris, and I walked into town to get roti. They hadn't started making them yet so we had to wait about an hour, but they were fantastic! They had a veggie option I got with this delicious sweet/savory mix and yummy spices. A roti is like a very thin flatbread filled with garbanzo beans, meat or vegetables, and some other stuff. It is then wrapped up kind of like a rectangular burrito. Mine cost $15TT, or about $2.40 US.
After lunch we went down to the dock to take our boat right. No one was going to get sea sick right? Of course not. I've been out on boats my whole life but nothing like the actual sea! The ride out wasn't too bad; took some cool pictures and videos and got splashed a bit. By the time we got around the point through the waves to the bird sanctuary everyone was doing pretty good. Once at the island, though, they turned the boat off. Without the movement of the boat through the waves everything started rocking way more. That, combined with watching the island bob up and down in the waves (ok maybe we were the ones bobbing) left about half the girls feeling sick. By the time we got moving again everyone except Brendan was feeling pretty sick. I feel like I'm still moving when I lay down.
The actual island itself was amazing! We couldn't land but hundred of Magnificent Frigate Birds circled over the island. After moving a bit aways the boat driver through some meat scraps in the water. Boy did those birds move their feathery behinds! They are SO HUGE! They have a wingspan of about 3 or 4 feet and when they are swooping right on top of your head, those birds are BIG! Saw the ones with the red pouch which meant they were ready to mate, as well as another kind of bird (I'd have to check my bird book) and the guide said there were brown footed boobies too. There could have been more kinds, it was hard to tell with all the swooping.
After getting back everyone made their way as quickly as possible to bed to rest and try to get the hang of standing again. I finished my books and got some new ones from the library, wrote some of my postcards, and collected cool rocks on the beach. Found a few tiny shells and some coral as well! Daniel and I will have a beach themed bathroom, so I'm planning on bringing some sand back as well to put in a little jar with the rocks and shells.
We then went to dinner which was BBQ at a restaurant in town. Dinner was good; rice, macaroni pie (they love that here), Mackerel or Chicken (I passed) and some assorted vegetables. They also had a bottle of hard wine (yes that's what it was called) that came with dinner that we tried. It wasn't my favorite, a little strong compared to moscato. We also tried a homemade guava wine the restaurant owner made. It also tasted rather strong. By the end of drinking and trying though everyone was a bit tipsy and ready to have some fun. There was a DJ that set up some big speakers on the patio to go dance. We all ended up joining in, even some of the other visitors who came for dinner. It was a lot of fun being silly and showing off a bit. Daniel, I needed my dance partner!
After leaving we made a bonfire by the cabin and played some games and then just started talking. It was a great bonding time and I know everyone a lot better now. Supposedly I'm a pretty good dancer (probably from loosening up with a drink) and the girls are plotting when they can drag me dancing again. Still, it is nice to relax and have some fun with everyone!
We are all going to bed late, but we have to be up early and ready by 8am to head to the reef and town!
After class John, Chris, and I walked into town to get roti. They hadn't started making them yet so we had to wait about an hour, but they were fantastic! They had a veggie option I got with this delicious sweet/savory mix and yummy spices. A roti is like a very thin flatbread filled with garbanzo beans, meat or vegetables, and some other stuff. It is then wrapped up kind of like a rectangular burrito. Mine cost $15TT, or about $2.40 US.
After lunch we went down to the dock to take our boat right. No one was going to get sea sick right? Of course not. I've been out on boats my whole life but nothing like the actual sea! The ride out wasn't too bad; took some cool pictures and videos and got splashed a bit. By the time we got around the point through the waves to the bird sanctuary everyone was doing pretty good. Once at the island, though, they turned the boat off. Without the movement of the boat through the waves everything started rocking way more. That, combined with watching the island bob up and down in the waves (ok maybe we were the ones bobbing) left about half the girls feeling sick. By the time we got moving again everyone except Brendan was feeling pretty sick. I feel like I'm still moving when I lay down.
The actual island itself was amazing! We couldn't land but hundred of Magnificent Frigate Birds circled over the island. After moving a bit aways the boat driver through some meat scraps in the water. Boy did those birds move their feathery behinds! They are SO HUGE! They have a wingspan of about 3 or 4 feet and when they are swooping right on top of your head, those birds are BIG! Saw the ones with the red pouch which meant they were ready to mate, as well as another kind of bird (I'd have to check my bird book) and the guide said there were brown footed boobies too. There could have been more kinds, it was hard to tell with all the swooping.
After getting back everyone made their way as quickly as possible to bed to rest and try to get the hang of standing again. I finished my books and got some new ones from the library, wrote some of my postcards, and collected cool rocks on the beach. Found a few tiny shells and some coral as well! Daniel and I will have a beach themed bathroom, so I'm planning on bringing some sand back as well to put in a little jar with the rocks and shells.
We then went to dinner which was BBQ at a restaurant in town. Dinner was good; rice, macaroni pie (they love that here), Mackerel or Chicken (I passed) and some assorted vegetables. They also had a bottle of hard wine (yes that's what it was called) that came with dinner that we tried. It wasn't my favorite, a little strong compared to moscato. We also tried a homemade guava wine the restaurant owner made. It also tasted rather strong. By the end of drinking and trying though everyone was a bit tipsy and ready to have some fun. There was a DJ that set up some big speakers on the patio to go dance. We all ended up joining in, even some of the other visitors who came for dinner. It was a lot of fun being silly and showing off a bit. Daniel, I needed my dance partner!
After leaving we made a bonfire by the cabin and played some games and then just started talking. It was a great bonding time and I know everyone a lot better now. Supposedly I'm a pretty good dancer (probably from loosening up with a drink) and the girls are plotting when they can drag me dancing again. Still, it is nice to relax and have some fun with everyone!
We are all going to bed late, but we have to be up early and ready by 8am to head to the reef and town!
Tobago Day 3
Still a little overcast but it looks like the sun is starting to come out. Yesterday we barely saw the sun between the rain storms and clouds. When it rains here it will rain for about 10 minutes and then stop like someone turned off the hose.
Saw some cool birds while we were in class; I'm trying to decide if one of them was a parrot or not. According to the girls they have seen parrots, so maybe that's what they were.
We got locked out of our cabin today because the doors were locked without taking the key. We are at the second cabin with the other students eating lunch. I plan on going to the library today; maybe I will use the computers there. There was an awesome Mac and cheese dance/song complete with bowl and spoon percussion that took place. The talents of this group never cease to amaze me.
Back for the evening after dinner; it was another long day! It's never hard to fall asleep at night after being in the sun and water all day. Brendan got back into our cabin by popping a screen (shows how useful the locks are) and we finally split into our separate groups. One went to Pirate's Bay that didn't go yesterday, one stayed on the beach, and the rest of us went into town to the library. The computers weren't working but I made an account with the library to check out books.
After coming back Brendan and I took a kayak out on the ocean. It was sketchy getting out between waves and not being capsized; we got a little wet and water in the kayak, but we did it. Once out on the water it rained for a few minutes, but then we saw a rainbow. The view from the water was great! We paddled over to Pirate's Bay from the water, but the group there had already left. Coming back the wind picked up a bit. The waves were pretty hard on the beach so although we got out ok the kayak was filled with water and too heavy to lift. Every time we tried flipping it to drain it more waves filled it. We finally got Chris to come help pull it up and dry it out.
We changed and went to dinner which was potatoes with cheese and white salmon...maybe...supposedly. Then a local man and his friend came and played us some music on his guitar and sang. We heard an interesting mix of songs, including smut. Assumingly it is a popular genre to sing for that style of music. The songs are usually have a double meaning. For example, one was about an electrician coming to check a lady's wire box and finding it needed a screw... Not hard to pick that one up. Another was more blatantly singing about how women prefer dildos to men. Suffice to say that everyone was super red and the man had to stop playing he was laughing so hard.
After dinner and feeding the two local dogs (who are not skinny and darn picky eaters!) scraps we headed back to cabins to do homework, read, and sleep. Tomorrow we have class and then at 2pm go for a boat ride around the area and to see the bird sanctuary!
Saw some cool birds while we were in class; I'm trying to decide if one of them was a parrot or not. According to the girls they have seen parrots, so maybe that's what they were.
We got locked out of our cabin today because the doors were locked without taking the key. We are at the second cabin with the other students eating lunch. I plan on going to the library today; maybe I will use the computers there. There was an awesome Mac and cheese dance/song complete with bowl and spoon percussion that took place. The talents of this group never cease to amaze me.
Back for the evening after dinner; it was another long day! It's never hard to fall asleep at night after being in the sun and water all day. Brendan got back into our cabin by popping a screen (shows how useful the locks are) and we finally split into our separate groups. One went to Pirate's Bay that didn't go yesterday, one stayed on the beach, and the rest of us went into town to the library. The computers weren't working but I made an account with the library to check out books.
After coming back Brendan and I took a kayak out on the ocean. It was sketchy getting out between waves and not being capsized; we got a little wet and water in the kayak, but we did it. Once out on the water it rained for a few minutes, but then we saw a rainbow. The view from the water was great! We paddled over to Pirate's Bay from the water, but the group there had already left. Coming back the wind picked up a bit. The waves were pretty hard on the beach so although we got out ok the kayak was filled with water and too heavy to lift. Every time we tried flipping it to drain it more waves filled it. We finally got Chris to come help pull it up and dry it out.
We changed and went to dinner which was potatoes with cheese and white salmon...maybe...supposedly. Then a local man and his friend came and played us some music on his guitar and sang. We heard an interesting mix of songs, including smut. Assumingly it is a popular genre to sing for that style of music. The songs are usually have a double meaning. For example, one was about an electrician coming to check a lady's wire box and finding it needed a screw... Not hard to pick that one up. Another was more blatantly singing about how women prefer dildos to men. Suffice to say that everyone was super red and the man had to stop playing he was laughing so hard.
After dinner and feeding the two local dogs (who are not skinny and darn picky eaters!) scraps we headed back to cabins to do homework, read, and sleep. Tomorrow we have class and then at 2pm go for a boat ride around the area and to see the bird sanctuary!
Tobago Day 2
Had our first day of Caribbean Literature class today; it was fun! Very informal; we read one of the first stories since it turned out we were supposed to have read it already. Class is from 9am-12pm; we all gained a collection of ant bites to add to our mosquito collection.
After lunch most of use went to Pirate's Bay which is a cove about one or two inlets over. To get there you walk through Charlottesville and up up up a huge hill (with a nice view) and then down hundreds of stairs on the other side. They didn't look so steep in the pictures I saw last year! It's a workout, that's for sure. At the bottom there is a beautiful white sand beach and beautiful waves. However, we soon discovered that the undertow is really strong. Brendan and I were about waist deep when a big wave came in and knocked him on top of me and we both went under. The girls climbed on some rocks for pictures but there were sea urchins on them so I passed. I did some snorkeling; there was some coral and cool fish! The waves were so strong though that I only did it a little bit because I kept being pushed towards some far out rocks. Coming back it was probably the scariest because after taking my fins off close in I couldn't swim harder than the pull of the waves. I finally waited for a big wave to push me in till I could stand and was done for the day.
After the long walk back almost everyone took naps and I did my reading and homework for tomorrow. John said there is a library here so I'll see if I can check out some books to read in the evenings. I was also told of a restaurant where if you order something you can use their wifi. Hopefully get to use that and check in tomorrow with everyone. Our lit teacher said he spent four hours using it today!
Dinner was macaroni pie (popular here), coleslaw, and chicken (which I didn't have). Tomorrow the girls and I hope to finally get a piña colada...by the time everyone is done swimming we are too tired to go to a bar! I'm not sure if they even check ID here..Brendan bought some beer and the guy didn't ask to see ID.
During dinner we found out that once we get back we will have 8am dance classes every Tuesday and Thursday to prepare for Carnival. Candice said it's mostly to build up endurance for that day. Exercise is great, but I need to start eating more; I've lost weight since getting here. Everyone talks about how amazing the food is but it's really not. Sure there are some great dishes, but I guess the food was talked up more than it is.
The rest of my cabin is still doing homework they didn't do this afternoon; I'll probably go to bed early since I don't have anything to read or do. I really do miss books and internet!
Being engaged at my age is odd; the students asked how he did it and were impressed, but only Emily had a boyfriend back home to miss. Aubrey and her bf broke up before she left and except for Brendan's on/off girlfriend I don't think anyone else is in a relationship. Right now everyone is talking about how they don't miss their parents or home and I'm like.... I miss them and my fiancé. They have no connection to how it feels to leave a fiancé behind compared to a boyfriend. I'm still getting used to saying fiancé instead of boyfriend; I'll call Daniel two different things in the same sentence (sorry babe!). I also have a wedding to plan which isn't something people are interest in talking/hearing about. Oh well, I'll save that for my bridesmaids!
I wonder now if I would have still done the trip if I had known Daniel longer before. I mean, I'm happy I'm on the study abroad and it will be a life changing experience, but if things had happened differently I don't think I would have left him and planned a wedding from afar. There's nothing I can do about it now, though!
After lunch most of use went to Pirate's Bay which is a cove about one or two inlets over. To get there you walk through Charlottesville and up up up a huge hill (with a nice view) and then down hundreds of stairs on the other side. They didn't look so steep in the pictures I saw last year! It's a workout, that's for sure. At the bottom there is a beautiful white sand beach and beautiful waves. However, we soon discovered that the undertow is really strong. Brendan and I were about waist deep when a big wave came in and knocked him on top of me and we both went under. The girls climbed on some rocks for pictures but there were sea urchins on them so I passed. I did some snorkeling; there was some coral and cool fish! The waves were so strong though that I only did it a little bit because I kept being pushed towards some far out rocks. Coming back it was probably the scariest because after taking my fins off close in I couldn't swim harder than the pull of the waves. I finally waited for a big wave to push me in till I could stand and was done for the day.
After the long walk back almost everyone took naps and I did my reading and homework for tomorrow. John said there is a library here so I'll see if I can check out some books to read in the evenings. I was also told of a restaurant where if you order something you can use their wifi. Hopefully get to use that and check in tomorrow with everyone. Our lit teacher said he spent four hours using it today!
Dinner was macaroni pie (popular here), coleslaw, and chicken (which I didn't have). Tomorrow the girls and I hope to finally get a piña colada...by the time everyone is done swimming we are too tired to go to a bar! I'm not sure if they even check ID here..Brendan bought some beer and the guy didn't ask to see ID.
During dinner we found out that once we get back we will have 8am dance classes every Tuesday and Thursday to prepare for Carnival. Candice said it's mostly to build up endurance for that day. Exercise is great, but I need to start eating more; I've lost weight since getting here. Everyone talks about how amazing the food is but it's really not. Sure there are some great dishes, but I guess the food was talked up more than it is.
The rest of my cabin is still doing homework they didn't do this afternoon; I'll probably go to bed early since I don't have anything to read or do. I really do miss books and internet!
Being engaged at my age is odd; the students asked how he did it and were impressed, but only Emily had a boyfriend back home to miss. Aubrey and her bf broke up before she left and except for Brendan's on/off girlfriend I don't think anyone else is in a relationship. Right now everyone is talking about how they don't miss their parents or home and I'm like.... I miss them and my fiancé. They have no connection to how it feels to leave a fiancé behind compared to a boyfriend. I'm still getting used to saying fiancé instead of boyfriend; I'll call Daniel two different things in the same sentence (sorry babe!). I also have a wedding to plan which isn't something people are interest in talking/hearing about. Oh well, I'll save that for my bridesmaids!
I wonder now if I would have still done the trip if I had known Daniel longer before. I mean, I'm happy I'm on the study abroad and it will be a life changing experience, but if things had happened differently I don't think I would have left him and planned a wedding from afar. There's nothing I can do about it now, though!
Tobago Day 1
Just walked through airport security with a drink... Best thing ever! Flying from Trinidad to Tobago they let you take drinks through security and on the plane.
Once we landed (only a 20 minute fight) we took a maxi cab to Pennysavers (grocery store) and did lots of shopping for food. We then stopped at a fruit stand for some fruit before the hour and a half drive to Charlottesville at the other end of Tobago.
The drive was beautiful and windy. Lots of views of the ocean and turquoise waters mixed with views inland of tall green hills. To get to Charlottesville you drive up this really tall hill and then come down the other side. The town is nestled into the hillside; all brightly colored houses.
After unpacking we went down to the beach and swam for the afternoon. I tried out my new snorkel gear although the water was too sandy to see much. We played in the water for a long time before coming back and finding out that the cabins don't have working showers per say; they only dribble water. We all had to rinse off best we could and wash our hair in the sink.
Dinner was good; rice, cooked vegetables, fresh avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, and stewed chicken. Trinidadians are big on meat on the bone which I am not. Jessica jokes that I'll be vegetarian before I leave. If I didn't love pad thai and burgers so much I might!
The evening was reading and taking notes for our first day of class tomorrow and relaxing. I finished one of my two books I brought; I knew I should have brought more to read. It's actually pretty boring in the evening since there is no wifi or computers and it gets dark too early to do anything outside. There's only so many card games to play.
The other people in my cabin saw a cockroach in the kitchen; from the way they screamed I thought one of the stray dogs has gotten in. There are far too many bugs for my liking here in places they should not be...like the kitchen and bed. I want my rich American bug free room back. It's amazing how expectations change. I used to think the Lodge was pretty bare bones but now it's looking rather cushy.
The area here is very beautiful; tomorrow we are going to go explore Charlottesville I think. Maybe we will finally find a place to get a piña colada; all the girls want one now. However I was promised coral reefs off the beach and fruit trees at the Man-o-War cottages and these are both untrue...any fruit is not in season and no sign of coral reefs. There are some other cool beaches we can hike to this week which I'm looking forward to. Either way, I'm getting tanner!
There are two rather distinctive Trini drinks; Mauby (pronounced Mo-be) and Sorrel. Sorrel I'm told is usually a Christmas drink but I found a bottle and got it today along with some Mauby. They are drink concentrate you mix with water to your taste. Much nicer than drinking normal water!
It's only been a week since leaving but it feels so much longer. I miss my family at home; 4 and almost 1/2 months is still a long time away. The other students are starting to realize if as well, I think, but most are used to it from leaving for college.
Once we landed (only a 20 minute fight) we took a maxi cab to Pennysavers (grocery store) and did lots of shopping for food. We then stopped at a fruit stand for some fruit before the hour and a half drive to Charlottesville at the other end of Tobago.
The drive was beautiful and windy. Lots of views of the ocean and turquoise waters mixed with views inland of tall green hills. To get to Charlottesville you drive up this really tall hill and then come down the other side. The town is nestled into the hillside; all brightly colored houses.
After unpacking we went down to the beach and swam for the afternoon. I tried out my new snorkel gear although the water was too sandy to see much. We played in the water for a long time before coming back and finding out that the cabins don't have working showers per say; they only dribble water. We all had to rinse off best we could and wash our hair in the sink.
Dinner was good; rice, cooked vegetables, fresh avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, and stewed chicken. Trinidadians are big on meat on the bone which I am not. Jessica jokes that I'll be vegetarian before I leave. If I didn't love pad thai and burgers so much I might!
The evening was reading and taking notes for our first day of class tomorrow and relaxing. I finished one of my two books I brought; I knew I should have brought more to read. It's actually pretty boring in the evening since there is no wifi or computers and it gets dark too early to do anything outside. There's only so many card games to play.
The other people in my cabin saw a cockroach in the kitchen; from the way they screamed I thought one of the stray dogs has gotten in. There are far too many bugs for my liking here in places they should not be...like the kitchen and bed. I want my rich American bug free room back. It's amazing how expectations change. I used to think the Lodge was pretty bare bones but now it's looking rather cushy.
The area here is very beautiful; tomorrow we are going to go explore Charlottesville I think. Maybe we will finally find a place to get a piña colada; all the girls want one now. However I was promised coral reefs off the beach and fruit trees at the Man-o-War cottages and these are both untrue...any fruit is not in season and no sign of coral reefs. There are some other cool beaches we can hike to this week which I'm looking forward to. Either way, I'm getting tanner!
There are two rather distinctive Trini drinks; Mauby (pronounced Mo-be) and Sorrel. Sorrel I'm told is usually a Christmas drink but I found a bottle and got it today along with some Mauby. They are drink concentrate you mix with water to your taste. Much nicer than drinking normal water!
It's only been a week since leaving but it feels so much longer. I miss my family at home; 4 and almost 1/2 months is still a long time away. The other students are starting to realize if as well, I think, but most are used to it from leaving for college.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Homestay Day 2
Today we are going to the beach. We can't go to the one closest to town because there was an oil spill and it might be affected.
Jessica is starting to get sick; I hope she feels better soon! It's no fun being sick when we are so busy.
The family has dogs that are pets, not strays. They are still pretty skinny, but it's nice to see them not living on the street! They give lots of licks and kisses when we walk by.
Everyone seems to know everyone else in this family. Monique (Riah's niece) was talking about a guy who owns a beach and lives in a fancy house with a pool and jacuzzi, but he is related to their family through marrying an aunt.
There was a store called Monique in another city that we later found out was named after the daughter of the family that owns it. She is the same Monique as above and she is going to the beach with us.
The beach was great! The water is brown, not blue from the sun on the southern side of the island, but it was clean and warm! The beach was nice and sandy and pretty clean. The water is really salty, though, even more so than our coasts. There were only a few people on the beach; we were the only ones in bikinis. Got a few cars honking at us as they drove by, but that's normal.
We are heading home and showering and then going to the mall for a couple hours while Deepak goes to his classes. He is insanely smart at math for six; he does extra classes on Saturdays and kicks our buts at adding and subtracting.
Had homemade roti for lunch; it was just as good as everyone has told us! Kind of messy to eat, but delicious.
Shopped for hours; got a small purse to take to Trinidad or when I don't want to carry my big purse. We then stopped for ice cream at a Häagen-Dazs store for ice cream. I got a toffee chocolate something with alcohol in it. It was so fun to order an actual drink and be legal to do so.
That evening when we got home I played with the two little girls Shania and Rebecca as well as Deepak. Jessica still felt sick so she laid down for a while. It was a more relaxing evening; got to Skype with Daniel and my family before going to bed.
Jessica is starting to get sick; I hope she feels better soon! It's no fun being sick when we are so busy.
The family has dogs that are pets, not strays. They are still pretty skinny, but it's nice to see them not living on the street! They give lots of licks and kisses when we walk by.
Everyone seems to know everyone else in this family. Monique (Riah's niece) was talking about a guy who owns a beach and lives in a fancy house with a pool and jacuzzi, but he is related to their family through marrying an aunt.
There was a store called Monique in another city that we later found out was named after the daughter of the family that owns it. She is the same Monique as above and she is going to the beach with us.
The beach was great! The water is brown, not blue from the sun on the southern side of the island, but it was clean and warm! The beach was nice and sandy and pretty clean. The water is really salty, though, even more so than our coasts. There were only a few people on the beach; we were the only ones in bikinis. Got a few cars honking at us as they drove by, but that's normal.
We are heading home and showering and then going to the mall for a couple hours while Deepak goes to his classes. He is insanely smart at math for six; he does extra classes on Saturdays and kicks our buts at adding and subtracting.
Had homemade roti for lunch; it was just as good as everyone has told us! Kind of messy to eat, but delicious.
Shopped for hours; got a small purse to take to Trinidad or when I don't want to carry my big purse. We then stopped for ice cream at a Häagen-Dazs store for ice cream. I got a toffee chocolate something with alcohol in it. It was so fun to order an actual drink and be legal to do so.
That evening when we got home I played with the two little girls Shania and Rebecca as well as Deepak. Jessica still felt sick so she laid down for a while. It was a more relaxing evening; got to Skype with Daniel and my family before going to bed.
Homestay Day 1
Jessica and I are on our way to Le Brea for our home stay. I'm pretty sure that Trinidadians have never heard of blinkers. They also follow much closer before changing lanes than in the US. They also drive over the center line, speed, and do not follow passing laws like the US. Jessica says it reminds her of driving in New York. Personally, Washington cops would be giving tickets right and left.
More often I'm seeing large mansion houses with big sweeping staircases abandoned. In some cases vegetation had completely covered structures. Houses have construction that has never been finished. All of them are painted bright colors, thought. Blue, red, pink, orange, and every color in between. It's an odd mix of poverty, wealth, and color.
Trinidad really seems to like billboards along the road; in some places are stacked right on top of each other. Along the side of the road you see little cars selling fresh fruit or drinks. In some places there are wide open expanses of lush jungle like area; palm trees and tall grass and who knows what else.
Lots of brightly colored birds, too! I have a bird book that doesn't cover a quarter of what I've seen. Bright yellow and black, blue, pure white... In Tobago we will see Scarlet Ibis.
One gallon of gas cost 0.89 cents here! Maybe I should take suitcases of gas back. That's legal, right?
I wonder if the houses have air conditioning? The Lodge doesn't and our home stay house doesn't either. I'll have to ask the other students if they had it or not.
Did ask and I guess air conditioning is pretty cheap and getting more popular. I'm still not sure why more places don't have it.
We did sightseeing on the way here but that meant a 2 hour car drive turned into 5. The house is really huge; the parents live upstairs (where our room is) our hosts live downstairs, and Riah's brother and his wife and kids live downstairs too, I think. But this afternoon they went to do something and didn't come back for hours. We had to go look for them, which was a little awkward, although I'm sure they didn't mean anything by it.
That evening we had dinner and tried a variety of Indian sweets. They were really really sweet! Some of them were almost pure sugar.
I tried a kind of pear soda that is very good! That and a kind of drink that's like watered down ginger ale.
I fell asleep for a bit and then we took showers before going to sleep. We weren't sure if it was because of construction they were doing or not bit the shower was a head on the end of a pipe that was only one temperature; however hot the pipes were. Also, the toilet does not flush. We are not sure why, but it seems to be considered normal that it doesn't. After quick showers (it was cold!) we went to bed.
More often I'm seeing large mansion houses with big sweeping staircases abandoned. In some cases vegetation had completely covered structures. Houses have construction that has never been finished. All of them are painted bright colors, thought. Blue, red, pink, orange, and every color in between. It's an odd mix of poverty, wealth, and color.
Trinidad really seems to like billboards along the road; in some places are stacked right on top of each other. Along the side of the road you see little cars selling fresh fruit or drinks. In some places there are wide open expanses of lush jungle like area; palm trees and tall grass and who knows what else.
Lots of brightly colored birds, too! I have a bird book that doesn't cover a quarter of what I've seen. Bright yellow and black, blue, pure white... In Tobago we will see Scarlet Ibis.
One gallon of gas cost 0.89 cents here! Maybe I should take suitcases of gas back. That's legal, right?
I wonder if the houses have air conditioning? The Lodge doesn't and our home stay house doesn't either. I'll have to ask the other students if they had it or not.
Did ask and I guess air conditioning is pretty cheap and getting more popular. I'm still not sure why more places don't have it.
We did sightseeing on the way here but that meant a 2 hour car drive turned into 5. The house is really huge; the parents live upstairs (where our room is) our hosts live downstairs, and Riah's brother and his wife and kids live downstairs too, I think. But this afternoon they went to do something and didn't come back for hours. We had to go look for them, which was a little awkward, although I'm sure they didn't mean anything by it.
That evening we had dinner and tried a variety of Indian sweets. They were really really sweet! Some of them were almost pure sugar.
I tried a kind of pear soda that is very good! That and a kind of drink that's like watered down ginger ale.
I fell asleep for a bit and then we took showers before going to sleep. We weren't sure if it was because of construction they were doing or not bit the shower was a head on the end of a pipe that was only one temperature; however hot the pipes were. Also, the toilet does not flush. We are not sure why, but it seems to be considered normal that it doesn't. After quick showers (it was cold!) we went to bed.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
First Days Here
- The first day was a bit of a blur; lots of sitting on a plane! However, Aubrey and I had no problems with our luggage and connecting flights, unlike most of the other students. When we arrived Candice and Roger Rabbit picked us up and drove us the 15-20 min. to Tunapuna. We passed a cow on the side of the road just grazing, but I was told that's not normal. The number of stray dogs, however, is insanely high.
- Once here we got to pick our rooms on the top floor and move in. I took a corner with two windows. One looks over the inner courtyard and the other out on the street with a view of the "mountains" aka large hills. The ceiling fans don't work but we got standing fans which are probably nicer. However, the internet is really bad and I don't know if there is a cable jack for direct internet. If not, homework will be slow!
- After unpacking we had pizza for dinner and hung out a little before going to bed early.
- Day 2
- Stopped by the Tunapuna Market as well and bought a huge papaya for really cheap; the papayas seem to go for about $4TT a pound, which is .58 cents/pound. You can buy coconuts that they will chop open for you to drink the water as you walk around too.
- One downer of the Lodge is that there is no toilet paper in the bathrooms ....none ...natta ...zilch. Priority was to find toilet paper today! Fortunately, we did. The only US stores I saw were a KFC, Burger King, and a Trader Joes. A lot of the smaller markets had some American food, and the big shopping store up the road we haven't gone to yet has lots of US stuff, I am told.
- Tomorrow we go to homestays! Jessica and I are headed down south to stay with a Hindu family...looking forward to it! Then we are back Sunday evening, repack, and leave Monday for Tobago.
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