Steve's Visit and Other Adventures

Wow…we’ve done a lot since my last post so there is much to be discussed. So much for my initial prediction that my blog posts would get shorter.

On the Friday after Ryan's midterm (which he did well on as expected) a bunch of us went down to this place called Mount Cinnamon. There is a little bar area with lounge chairs and umbrellas with a volleyball court next to it, all right on the beach. We drank a few beers and had a little volleyball tournament going on. Not a bad way to celebrate the completion of their midterm.

That night Steve flew in. While he was here we took him out and tried to give him a good island experience. He flew in on a Friday night and the next day the three of us did what is called a Hash. Apparently they have organized hashes all over the world and luckily for us, they have one in Grenada every other Saturday at various spots around the island. It was mine and Ryan’s first time hashing so we didn’t really know what we were getting ourselves into but it turned out to be quite the adventure. A bus on campus takes anyone who wants to go to wherever the hash is being held that Saturday.This time, the hash was in our parish (St. George parish) so we didn’t have to go too far. When you get there you have to sign a sheet either in the column that reads ‘hounds,’ for those who have done it before, or the column under ‘virgin’ for those who have never hashed. Then everyone gathers round and the ‘hash master’ tells everyone the rules. The first part of the hash everyone does together – you simply follow the trail which is marked with random piles of shredded paper.

Once everyone gets through the first difficult part of the hash, the trail splits off into two – a runner trail and walker trail. Although, you can walk on the runner trail and run on the walker trail, the runner trail is just more challenging. Once on either of these trails there, one will periodically come upon a split in the trail that veers off in three directions. Two of these trails are false trails and one is the correct trail. If you are on a false trail you will come upon an X and have to go back. However, the hashers can help each other figure these trails out by yelling things like “are you?” which you yell people ahead of you to see if the trail you are on is correct.

If they respond with “on on” then you are on the right trail, if they say “on back” that means you are on a false trail and need to turn around, or “checking” which means they don’t know if it is a false or correct trail and are checking. Those are pretty much the only rules. We started the hash jogging, Steve fell behind a bit (he was feeling a little car sick from the bus ride) so Ryan stayed back with him and I took off with the twins (Barie and Tracy). After a couple minutes of jogging the trail began a steep ascent up what seemed like a giant mountain. It was hot and muggy and we were basically climbing up the side of this mountain, through the brush, trees, over rocks, grabbing onto branches and anything else we could get our hands on to help us overcome the various obstacles the jungle presented. It was the most intense hike I have ever been on. We were getting scratched by branches, bushes, grass, rock, bit by fire ants (really stings for about 2 minutes), getting covered with dirt, and producing enormous amounts of sweat as evidenced by one of the photos below. Through grit, determination, and lots of water, we made it up the first mountain. The views were amazing. We could see the capital, Grand Anse beach, and beautiful jungle covered mountains. But we only had the first leg completed. At one point as we were continuing our hike, trying not to slip on mud, and not get too scratched up, we came across a bellowing cow that blocked our trail for a few minutes. We kept hiking and hiking for what seemed like forever until we finally reached the split to the runners trail and walkers trail. We chose the runners trail, which was just as difficult as the first part of the hike. There was no way we would have been able to run it. I started running out of water and was so hungry and thirsty. Some guys picked us some French Cashews from a tree – they are little pieces of red fruit with a big seed in the middle. It is difficult to describe the taste but at that time, they tasted like the most amazing food in the world. The last part of the strenuous runners hike, we had to basically slide down this dirt trail on our butts and some guys helped us down so we wouldn’t fall. After that (about 2 ½ - 3 hours total). It started raining, which I welcomed, and we were walking down a cement road through a little town. The girls and I found a mango that we devoured in 2 seconds – very delicious. And when we got back to the ending meeting place we drank Ting (a grapefruit soda that is really popular here) and ate barbecued chicken with potato salad. At the end they supposedly spray all the ‘virgins’ with beer but I snuck back to the bus and opted out of that one. I must say, I was sweaty, dirty, scratched up, bruised, and exhausted but I also had a huge sense of accomplishment. I’m looking forward to doing the hash again. What an experience!

On Sunday morning Ryan and Steve went spearfishing/snorkeling for a little while in Prickly Bay. They didn’t catch any fish but enjoyed swimming around in the water. Afterwards, we met up with everyone at this beach called BBC (not sure what the BBC stands for), which I had never been to. It wasn’t the most perfect day to go to the beach since it started down pouring about 15 minutes after we got there but we all just hung out in the warm water and had a good time anyway.

The rest of the week was pretty mellow. Steve and I would hang out and chat on our balcony in the mornings until Ryan got home for school and plan what we would do for the rest of the day. One of the most exciting things for me last week was my first firefly spotting. I didn’t know until recently that Grenada had fireflies and since I’ve never seen one but always wanted to, I was happy to hear that they have them here. One night when Steve and I were talking on the balcony, I saw these little glimmers of light above a tree in our front yard. I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me until I realized that they were fireflies! I was so excited, I was like a little kid again. Steve and Braden were laughing at me because I was so mesmerized by them. Anyway, it was a big moment for me.

But back to Steve’s trip…we took him to Grand Anse a few times and we also took him to see the capital. Ryan had to purchase car insurance and change the title on the car anyway so we took a reggae bus out to the capital (Steve’s Grenada experience would not have been complete without a ride in a reggae bus). So we showed him around the capital, he some cocoa balls at the open air market, and got to see the view from the top of Fort George and learn a little bit about Grenadian history.

The last day he was here, me, Ryan, Steve, and Ryan’s friend Tad drove to the east coast of the island to check out this surf break called For Jeudy. It was pretty windy and the waves were really choppy but we were able to get some nice views of the ocean and the boys were able to size up the potential ‘surfability’ of the place.

We then headed over to La Sagesse beach – another beach on the east coast. We got a few rum punches at a restaurant there while we waited for some rain to subside and met up with Pete, Braden, and Gary. We played some paddle ball on the beach and the boys all went body surfing in the waves. I stayed on shore and took pictures since I was not confident that my bikini was sturdy enough to stay on in the rough water. I really need to look into getting a more athletic-type bikini that I won’t have to worry about falling off when a wave comes. That night, since it was Steve’s last night here, we went to a restaurant on a harbor called Stewarts for a nice dinner. All in all, I think Steve had a good time – although, he did accrue quite the impressive collection of mosquito bites.

The day after Steve left, I went to do a yoga class with the girls at La Luna resort. It was only $10 and we got to do a yoga class on a platform overlooking the beach...it was incredible. Some of the girls got massages after and the rest of us hung out at the private beach. Definitely the most beautiful place I have ever done a yoga class!

Other highlights of the past weekend included Ryan and I playing volleyball, softball, and just hanging out at home making dinner and watching movies – and of course, as always, Ryan continuing his studious ways. The other day we went for a jog on Grand Anse – which was my idea although I’m not sure what possessed me to want to run on the beach. I was still sore from the softball game and had never jogged in sand before and it was very difficult. Even so, I’d like to do it more often since I know it will strengthen my legs and the scenery at Grand Anse is unbeatable.

Also this week Ryan told me that I should paint the living room table, which, like the desk in Ryan’s room consists of a piece of ply wood propped up with cinder blocks. So, I decided to put the paints my mom bought me to work and started painting a few things on the table – a Heliconia plant, a Bird of Paradise, and a little nutmeg. Pictures of nutmeg are all over the Grenada so of course I had to include it on the table. I’m not sure what the finished product will look like but I’m having fun with the paints. I’m no artist, but I’m pretty proud of my tropical plants so far.

On the job front…I contacted a woman at SGU about a possible position in Student Services on campus, but I received an automatic email response saying that she would be out of the office until August 7^th so I’ll have to wait until then to hear back from her. Additionally, a medical student that I spoke with while waiting for the bus told me that he heard that there is a scuba diving company here that will certify SO’s for free and then hire them as scuba instructors – something else I’m going to look into. Can you imagine me as a scuba instructor? Could be interesting…

So that is pretty much all that is new with us. Ryan has his final exam on Friday and my 25^th birthday is on Tuesday, although we’ll have to postpone any birthday celebration until after his final which is fine with me. I’ve spent five weeks in Grenada already and it has gone by so fast! I hope everything is well on the stateside and I miss everyone back home!