First and foremost, thanks to those folks who have been sending us mail. You know who you are and to hear about "home" is a wonderful thing and gives us something to talk about and feel connected with while we try to make something happen here in Jamaica.
Our trip to Great Huts turned out REALLY well. Up and over the Blue Mountains [home of the famous Blue Mountain Coffee] on this road that took snake turns constantly up and down the sides of the hill. It is hard to describe looking out your side window, and seeing the valley floor. A very funky place indeed but with views that are not to be equalled. We will upload some photos but at the moment I am using a computer in the Deputy Mayors office [he is out for the day] while I wait for a 10 AM meeting to begin (it is 11:37) and thus don't have them with me. The 'rooms' (there were 3 in our alloted space) was an open air sort of place with a tin roof and bamboo walls with 10 foot wide 'windows' that looked down upon crashing surf, the beach and the famous aquamarine waters. The site looked due east so the sun in the morning was intense and the moon at night was full of romantic promise. Also, there was an outside cool tub that was adjacent to the room and it all was very private with nothing around us but the sea, cliff and forest. Good thing to as the bathroom was full outside with bamboo surrounding the privy. We had to remember to cover the paper as we got 4 flash thunderstorms that would make it a soggy mess.
It was treat to see the Jamaica we knew as the verdant forest, lack of steel bars over windows and generally clean streets. It was grounding as it was NOT what we see in Kingston or Cumberland/Portmore where we are living. We went swimming in the surf, laid on these chaise lounges in the shade overlooking the ocean listing to music and watching the surfers below. Ate jerk lobster [way expensive] and drank Red Stripe as we watched the herons, hawks and egrets soar from BELOW us to eye level. Not so bad to be sure! It was a tad noisy at night with a party across the bay but that did not detract from a good time overall. Rose and Carol [fellow PCV's] joined us on late Saturday for the evening and next day as well. We travelled back to Kingston with them. It was great to see and laugh with them again. We also met several really interesting people during breakfast and had extended conversations with them about what they do. One couple ran a rafting outfit in Colorado and were taking their first days off sans kids since they were born. They had travelled extensively in India, Costa Rica and all over South America. Next year they plan to buy a sailboat and circumnavigate the world for 3 years with their children. Another young woman, a returned Peace Corp Volunteer, is getting her masters in Jamaica on international development and is based in Kingston. She had many stories to tell about her Peace Corps time in Lithuania. As you might imagine, all energizing and upbeat. It is apparent to us, again, that by getting out of the usual path, it forces into the path of others who have a different perspective on life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
So, as I sit here ready to sign off for the moment, I again miss all of you but hope to return one day with interesting stories of our own to tell.
and PLEASE, elect OBAMA! I checked to be sure our ballots are on the way and they ARE!
Love, Matt
Our trip to Great Huts turned out REALLY well. Up and over the Blue Mountains [home of the famous Blue Mountain Coffee] on this road that took snake turns constantly up and down the sides of the hill. It is hard to describe looking out your side window, and seeing the valley floor. A very funky place indeed but with views that are not to be equalled. We will upload some photos but at the moment I am using a computer in the Deputy Mayors office [he is out for the day] while I wait for a 10 AM meeting to begin (it is 11:37) and thus don't have them with me. The 'rooms' (there were 3 in our alloted space) was an open air sort of place with a tin roof and bamboo walls with 10 foot wide 'windows' that looked down upon crashing surf, the beach and the famous aquamarine waters. The site looked due east so the sun in the morning was intense and the moon at night was full of romantic promise. Also, there was an outside cool tub that was adjacent to the room and it all was very private with nothing around us but the sea, cliff and forest. Good thing to as the bathroom was full outside with bamboo surrounding the privy. We had to remember to cover the paper as we got 4 flash thunderstorms that would make it a soggy mess.
It was treat to see the Jamaica we knew as the verdant forest, lack of steel bars over windows and generally clean streets. It was grounding as it was NOT what we see in Kingston or Cumberland/Portmore where we are living. We went swimming in the surf, laid on these chaise lounges in the shade overlooking the ocean listing to music and watching the surfers below. Ate jerk lobster [way expensive] and drank Red Stripe as we watched the herons, hawks and egrets soar from BELOW us to eye level. Not so bad to be sure! It was a tad noisy at night with a party across the bay but that did not detract from a good time overall. Rose and Carol [fellow PCV's] joined us on late Saturday for the evening and next day as well. We travelled back to Kingston with them. It was great to see and laugh with them again. We also met several really interesting people during breakfast and had extended conversations with them about what they do. One couple ran a rafting outfit in Colorado and were taking their first days off sans kids since they were born. They had travelled extensively in India, Costa Rica and all over South America. Next year they plan to buy a sailboat and circumnavigate the world for 3 years with their children. Another young woman, a returned Peace Corp Volunteer, is getting her masters in Jamaica on international development and is based in Kingston. She had many stories to tell about her Peace Corps time in Lithuania. As you might imagine, all energizing and upbeat. It is apparent to us, again, that by getting out of the usual path, it forces into the path of others who have a different perspective on life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
So, as I sit here ready to sign off for the moment, I again miss all of you but hope to return one day with interesting stories of our own to tell.
and PLEASE, elect OBAMA! I checked to be sure our ballots are on the way and they ARE!
Love, Matt
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