The flight to the Caribbean was more than pleasant. It was my first time traveling with WestJet, and the personality of the stewardess, the eagerness of the flight attendants, and the blue sky floating above white cotton candy clouds made it very enjoyable despite the lack of free tv shows and movies.
Four hours later, we passed by crystal blue waters and shortly after we touched down at the airport surrounded by tall trees and beach resorts.
The baggage claim was going to be my first problem. I had two huge bags that weighed fifty pounds each and two small bags that were around 20 pounds each. Together, I would be carrying over 140 lbs. I retrieved my luggage from the conveyer belt, but was lost as to how to transport them elsewhere in the airport. I looked around for carts, but there was none to be had. The only cart in sight was with a big man dressed in a neon yellow vest standing off to one side. I hesitated a few more minutes while struggling to move at least an inch with my heavy luggage, then walked towards him and asked as to where I could get one of those baggage carts. He responded with a short "porter". I asked if I could borrow his cart, and to my surprise he said sure and walked over to my luggage and got to work immediately. I sighed with relief inside. We made our way to the check in area for my connecting flight. He dropped my bags off and I gave him $8 ($2 tip because my aching shoulders were almost crying with relief) in payment.
Afterwards, I had to wait two hours for my flight to arrive. The plane was small and cramped. I sat by the window seat and again and was able to get a few photos of the landscape as we flew by. While 3000 ft above the sea, I could make out slim white shapes in the waters darting back and forth on the surface. At first I thought it was a trick of the eye, or the sunlight dancing on the ripples. But I continued to see them coming up and disappearing.
At the airport, I still had the issue of locating my house-to-be. I wasn't sure of my address or of how I was going to carry my luggage over. To my great surprise, my landlord had already rolled up in her van and was already waiting for me just outside baggage claim area. After introductions and loading of my luggage, we drove off. The road was a little uneven and narrow and lined with grasses and shrubs. We almost hit two cows that were nearly done crossing the road but had stopped to mow down some flowers. They were huge! And beautiful and wild! They looked so much healthier than any cows I had seen before. I guess free range is best after all. We also passed by a dozen goats that were gathered on the grass just hanging out. And some chickens crossing the road. My super nice landlord showed me around the town while speaking really fast in a thick Jamaican accent.
Finally, I arrived at the house I was to be staying in for the school year. To be honest I had not been expecting much at all. Maybe a bedroom and a shared kitchen. But to my pleasant surprise I had a living room kitchen that was a decent size with a refrigerator, stove, washer, desk, and a set of three exquisite looking bright red Louis Vuitton patterned couches (Im pretty sure they are not real). A second door opened to an adjacent room that was to be my bedroom. It was two times the size of my room back home. The bathroom was very plain and I wished there was more space to put my toiletries.
There is no Internet yet, but my landlord contacted the island tech guy so he will be stopping by tomorrow morning to see what is up with my Internet. I will do a little sight seeing tomorrow. Super excited!
August 27, 2012
I woke up this morning with my left shoulder seriously sore and stiff. Took my first trip out to town. Woke up bright and early at 7 feeling ahead only to see kids outside my window already walking to school. Walking down the roads, I saw chickens everywhere. However, if you even gesture at them they will strut away in a fury of clucks and wings. I saw a few cats and goats as well roaming around. The heat was almost unbearable after just a few minutes.
I spent what felt like half the day watching cartoons in the humid heat of my living room. In the afternoon, I went to the school library to try to get wifi. To my frustration, the wifi wasnt working on my laptop either. However, I was able to connect to the wifi on my iPad. I am really hating my macbook air right now. The problem lies with my laptop I just know it.
Afterwards, I checked out the two grocery stores near my street. I came home carrying a box of cereal, a French baguette, a jar of marmalade, and three apples. After a quick snack of bread and marmalade spread, I headed out to town again. By now, I've gotten more used to people honking their horns as they drove by. If I see them waving, I would wave back. I don't think I've seen people be so friendly before.
The evening breeze was a nice relief from the stagnant humid air that blanketed the island for most of the day. I made my way to a small bar called Cool Corner after getting a recommendation from the nice lady who worked at the library. It was dim inside, with a handful of men sitting at the. At on high stools. Some were smoking and drinking others were conversing loudly and enusastically. The person at the bar looked to be a young man. I asked for a menu and he promptly handed me one with two Cinese characters on the front that I didn't recognize. I scanned the prices, quickly calculating in my head how much I had spent on groceries already and how much I want to spend on dinner. After two minutes, I ordered the chicken cutlet for $9 (including tax). While waiting, I took out my iPad in hopes of picking up a stray wifi signal. But no luck so I put it away. A man two seats away from me struck up conversation so we talked lightly for a bit. After ten minutes my order arrived In a black lactic bag. I paid and said good bye to my new acquaintance. The bag was emitting a most wonderful aroma. I got home and opened the styrofoam box and to my great surprise an enormous chicken cutlet the size of my face filled the box. Underneath it was a second one of the same size. Underneath that was a good amount of rice and French fries covered in yellow curry or some kind of gravy sauce. I was only able to eat a small corner of the meal before I felt full.
I spent the rest of my evening watching half an episode of NCIS before cracking open my USMLE text. Also today I saw something suspiciously large and hairy scurry across the wall of my neighbors house. I now make an effort to check the floor and corners of the room for anything foreign every few minutes. Tomorrow I think I will wake up early and take a hike maybe up the volcano. So excited!
The flight to the Caribbean was more than pleasant. It was my first time traveling with WestJet, and the personality of the stewardess, the eagerness of the flight attendants, and the blue sky floating above white cotton candy clouds made it very enjoyable despite the lack of free tv shows and movies.
Four hours later, we passed by crystal blue waters and shortly after we touched down at the airport surrounded by tall trees and beach resorts.
The baggage claim was going to be my first problem. I had two huge bags that weighed fifty pounds each and two small bags that were around 20 pounds each. Together, I would be carrying over 140 lbs. I retrieved my luggage from the conveyer belt, but was lost as to how to transport them elsewhere in the airport. I looked around for carts, but there was none to be had. The only cart in sight was with a big man dressed in a neon yellow vest standing off to one side. I hesitated a few more minutes while struggling to move at least an inch with my heavy luggage, then walked towards him and asked as to where I could get one of those baggage carts. He responded with a short "porter". I asked if I could borrow his cart, and to my surprise he said sure and walked over to my luggage and got to work immediately. I sighed with relief inside. We made our way to the check in area for my connecting flight. He dropped my bags off and I gave him $8 ($2 tip because my aching shoulders were almost crying with relief) in payment.
Afterwards, I had to wait two hours for my flight to arrive. The plane was small and cramped. I sat by the window seat and again and was able to get a few photos of the landscape as we flew by. While 3000 ft above the sea, I could make out slim white shapes in the waters darting back and forth on the surface. At first I thought it was a trick of the eye, or the sunlight dancing on the ripples. But I continued to see them coming up and disappearing.
At the airport, I still had the issue of locating my house-to-be. I wasn't sure of my address or of how I was going to carry my luggage over. To my great surprise, my landlord had already rolled up in her van and was already waiting for me just outside baggage claim area. After introductions and loading of my luggage, we drove off. The road was a little uneven and narrow and lined with grasses and shrubs. We almost hit two cows that were nearly done crossing the road but had stopped to mow down some flowers. They were huge! And beautiful and wild! They looked so much healthier than any cows I had seen before. I guess free range is best after all. We also passed by a dozen goats that were gathered on the grass just hanging out. And some chickens crossing the road. My super nice landlord showed me around the town while speaking really fast in a thick Jamaican accent.
Finally, I arrived at the house I was to be staying in for the school year. To be honest I had not been expecting much at all. Maybe a bedroom and a shared kitchen. But to my pleasant surprise I had a living room kitchen that was a decent size with a refrigerator, stove, washer, desk, and a set of three exquisite looking bright red Louis Vuitton patterned couches (Im pretty sure they are not real). A second door opened to an adjacent room that was to be my bedroom. It was two times the size of my room back home. The bathroom was very plain and I wished there was more space to put my toiletries.
There is no Internet yet, but my landlord contacted the island tech guy so he will be stopping by tomorrow morning to see what is up with my Internet. I will do a little sight seeing tomorrow. Super excited!
August 27, 2012
I woke up this morning with my left shoulder seriously sore and stiff. Took my first trip out to town. Woke up bright and early at 7 feeling ahead only to see kids outside my window already walking to school. Walking down the roads, I saw chickens everywhere. However, if you even gesture at them they will strut away in a fury of clucks and wings. I saw a few cats and goats as well roaming around. The heat was almost unbearable after just a few minutes.
I spent what felt like half the day watching cartoons in the humid heat of my living room. In the afternoon, I went to the school library to try to get wifi. To my frustration, the wifi wasnt working on my laptop either. However, I was able to connect to the wifi on my iPad. I am really hating my macbook air right now. The problem lies with my laptop I just know it.
Afterwards, I checked out the two grocery stores near my street. I came home carrying a box of cereal, a French baguette, a jar of marmalade, and three apples. After a quick snack of bread and marmalade spread, I headed out to town again. By now, I've gotten more used to people honking their horns as they drove by. If I see them waving, I would wave back. I don't think I've seen people be so friendly before.
The evening breeze was a nice relief from the stagnant humid air that blanketed the island for most of the day. I made my way to a small bar called Cool Corner after getting a recommendation from the nice lady who worked at the library. It was dim inside, with a handful of men sitting at the. At on high stools. Some were smoking and drinking others were conversing loudly and enusastically. The person at the bar looked to be a young man. I asked for a menu and he promptly handed me one with two Cinese characters on the front that I didn't recognize. I scanned the prices, quickly calculating in my head how much I had spent on groceries already and how much I want to spend on dinner. After two minutes, I ordered the chicken cutlet for $9 (including tax). While waiting, I took out my iPad in hopes of picking up a stray wifi signal. But no luck so I put it away. A man two seats away from me struck up conversation so we talked lightly for a bit. After ten minutes my order arrived In a black lactic bag. I paid and said good bye to my new acquaintance. The bag was emitting a most wonderful aroma. I got home and opened the styrofoam box and to my great surprise an enormous chicken cutlet the size of my face filled the box. Underneath it was a second one of the same size. Underneath that was a good amount of rice and French fries covered in yellow curry or some kind of gravy sauce. I was only able to eat a small corner of the meal before I felt full.
I spent the rest of my evening watching half an episode of NCIS before cracking open my USMLE text. Also today I saw something suspiciously large and hairy scurry across the wall of my neighbors house. I now make an effort to check the floor and corners of the room for anything foreign every few minutes. Tomorrow I think I will wake up early and take a hike maybe up the volcano. So excited!
