Steel Pan

I have joined a learning program that teaches you to play the steel pan! This program is put on my this group called the Angel Harps which is a well-known pan band in St. George's. I selected the single tenor to learn how to play!

So far, learning how to play pan has been very tedious...but I hope that is will pay off in the end. Too bad I won't be here for Carnival next year to show off my new skills :(

Programme for Adolescent Mothers

Want to know more about where I am working in the Peace Corps? Come check out the website for my primary work site (p.s. I created this web page)


http://www.programmeforadolescentmothers.webs.com

Trip to Dominica

We recently had our Mid-Service Conference for the Peace Corps in St. Lucia. A few of us from Grenada decided to take a few extra days and extend our trip so that we could also visit Dominica! It is so lush and beautiful there. I really enjoyed exploring The Nature Isle! Here are some pictures.

Friendly passerby

I just wanted to share a friendly comment I received the other day as I was walking down the road....

I was on my way down the road to stop by and say hello to my homestay family. Lots of cars were passing by but one of them came to a stop right in front of me. As I walked up to the passenger's window this man shouted out of his vehile asking if I wanted a ride. I explained that I wasn't going much further but thanked him for the offer. He then replied by saying, "alright, well knowing that you are working here and doing good things for my country, I wouldn't pass you straight."

That is probably one of the nicest things a stranger has said to me in a long time! I may never see this guy again, but in that moment, he totally made my day.

One Year!

It was exactly one year ago that I left for my journey in the Peace Corps. I could have never imagined the things that I was going to learn during my service here in the Eastern Caribbean. Not a day has gone by that I have ever thought twice about being here. I am so glad that I made the decision to join the Peace Corps. This has been the most rewarding experience I have ever had.

On another note, our Grenada post has gained 8 new volunteers this weekend! Seen as how there were only 5 of us here before, we have more than doubled in size. I am really looking forward to getting to know all the new volunteer and to be able to share this wonderful island of Grenada with them.

Mt. Qua Qua to Concord Waterfall Hike

Another volunteer and I went on a hike yesterday and I had such a good time! Sometimes I get so caught up in the day to day activities that need to get done, that I forget about how beautiful this place really is. It is so green and lush and mountainous! I really enjoyed all the wonderful views that I got to see on this hike.

So, we started in the middle of the island at Grand Etang (about 2000 ft. escalation). From there we took a trail to the top of Mt. Qua Qua. The Grand Etang lake is right next to you on the trail and sets a nice and calming atomosphere for the hike. On the way up to the top you are able to look back and see the town of St. George's. You can see where the airport is and we even saw the cruise ships that were docked in town! When we got to the top we saw various other mountain tops and also saw Grenville on the east side of the island. It was an amazing view.

From there, we took another trail that lead us off to the west. We were hoping that this trail would lead us to the 3 Concord Waterfalls. And after a little more than 2 hours of hiking, we proved ourselves right. The hike was a little wet and muddy in places, and I would be lying if I said that I didn't fall flat on my butt a few times, but I really enjoyed the time in the outdoors exploring a new place I had never been.

I really enjoy moments when you get some time away from the city and all the busyness of life to just be able to enjoy the simple pleasures....like hiking in the woods.

New Volunteers

I was contacted by a trainee from the new group (EC81) yesterday! I am really looking forward to their arrival! There are suppose to be 8 or 9 of them in this coming group (which will be more than doubling our number of volunteers here in Grenada!) They should be arriving here at the end of February. I can't wait to see their assignments and to see where they will be placed.

yay!

Winter Break

Over the 3 weeks of winter break this christmas season a lot happened; I got open water scuba certified, my family came to visit, and Lizzie, Nicole and I celebrated our birthdays! It was an amazing break. Here are some photos so that I can share it all with you!

Finally scuba certified!

Took my family to St. George's


then to Mt. Carmel Waterfall

played in the natural water slides

enjoyed the sun at the beach

took them to see the wonderful Peace Corps office

and my work site PAM

then we toured the Rivers Rum Distillery

drove past Lake Antoine

and finally toured the Belmont Estate

Celebrated Lizzie's Birthday at the beach

And then celebrated my birthday by having dinner at Patrick's

I wish all of you could have been here to celebrate the holiday season with us. Best of wishes to everyone in the new year.