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!
Friday, January 10, 2014
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.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Airport Time!
The day is finally here!
Aubrey and I are waiting in the Seattle airport (realizing there are still MORE documents we need printed) to fly to Miami and then Trinidad!
Saying goodbye was hard, especially to my new fiance Daniel. 4 1/2 months seems like such a long time to see all my family again! However, I am excited for the new adventure about to unfold and the friends I will meet!
Aubrey and I are waiting in the Seattle airport (realizing there are still MORE documents we need printed) to fly to Miami and then Trinidad!
Saying goodbye was hard, especially to my new fiance Daniel. 4 1/2 months seems like such a long time to see all my family again! However, I am excited for the new adventure about to unfold and the friends I will meet!
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Forms, Forms, Forms!
I have now been to two of the three meetings before I embark on my trip to Trinidad. The first was a few weeks ago; a general study abroad meeting to pass out forms. SO. MANY. FORMS! The second was a few days ago and was specifically for Trinidad. We got another chance to meet with Candice, our on site coordinator, and to talk to some of the students who went last year. There are now seven PLU students going (two boys) and we will be joined by three students from New York and some people already living in the dorm lodge in Trinidad.
The PLU students who went last year were beyond excited to tell us about their trip. Every topic prompted the response of "OH MY GOSH THE ___!!!" The food, dancing, people you meet, the trips...everything was the most incredible experience of the student's lives. Their main piece of advice was, when will you have this chance again? Take advantage of the trips that aren't required, get up early, make friends, and take risks! Seeing the change the trip has brought about has made me more excited to begin my own trip.
It also drove home the differences in our cultures. In Trinidad the motto is "work hard, play hard." Candice explained that from a young age children are taught to take charge of their own education. By college, this means that professors do not take role in class and there are usually two tests to determine grades: the midterm and the final. For PLU students this means putting a lot more work into making sure you don't let your classwork go, or it will come back to bite you come finals time!
The people in Trinidad are also friendlier than in the USA. One of the students, Zack, was able to walk up to people he did not know, strike up a conversation, and make a new friend. One of the girls commented that when she returned to the US she had grown accustomed to greeting everyone she saw. Walking down the street in her town, however, this got her some odd looks! People in the US are simply not as friendly as in Trinidad, which is most likely due to how we were raised and our different societies.
Either way, I am looking forward to our last meeting and my journey abroad!
The PLU students who went last year were beyond excited to tell us about their trip. Every topic prompted the response of "OH MY GOSH THE ___!!!" The food, dancing, people you meet, the trips...everything was the most incredible experience of the student's lives. Their main piece of advice was, when will you have this chance again? Take advantage of the trips that aren't required, get up early, make friends, and take risks! Seeing the change the trip has brought about has made me more excited to begin my own trip.
It also drove home the differences in our cultures. In Trinidad the motto is "work hard, play hard." Candice explained that from a young age children are taught to take charge of their own education. By college, this means that professors do not take role in class and there are usually two tests to determine grades: the midterm and the final. For PLU students this means putting a lot more work into making sure you don't let your classwork go, or it will come back to bite you come finals time!
The people in Trinidad are also friendlier than in the USA. One of the students, Zack, was able to walk up to people he did not know, strike up a conversation, and make a new friend. One of the girls commented that when she returned to the US she had grown accustomed to greeting everyone she saw. Walking down the street in her town, however, this got her some odd looks! People in the US are simply not as friendly as in Trinidad, which is most likely due to how we were raised and our different societies.
Either way, I am looking forward to our last meeting and my journey abroad!
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