Great weekend here on many fronts. The Saturday was consumed in traveling a bit north of Spanish Town to Serenity Park for a 'warden meeting' which is a Peace Corps version of a staff meeting to exchange news and support. It takes all day to go any distance of even 20 or 25 miles. It is just simply slow and inefficient from the perspective of each traveller but efficient [albeit not really safe] when viewed from a fuel economy point of view. The 'route taxis' taverse a set route picking up travelers whereever they can pulling off the side of the road anywhere to allow them in. These are vans that in theory carry 9 people. In reality, they will pack 12 to 15 in these vans swerving all over the road avoiding potholes, cyclists, other vans, trucks and the occasional goat or dog. I simply have to trust my luck - which will make those of you who know me smile a tad I am sure.
Sunday, we took off for Hellshire Beach and simply enjoyed the water, the beer and other PCV's company - no small thing I am finding from the emotional support aspect. The water was rough but warm at about 85 degrees or better.
The international phone plan is outstanding here and calling back to the states is cheap so staying in touch with our children has been pretty easy. Already looking forward to Christmas. Our international number is 876-382-0082. Send a text message as it is cheap to the point of being free.
One of the fascinating things about this adventure is that we have heard from some folks we didn't really expect to [thank you!!!!!] and others that we expected to hear from, not at all. One of the many puzzlements of life I suppose. As I don't know what has been happening [except for the tornado], I do feel more out of the loop than we ever did on our cross country trip...and this is certainly colored somewhat by the length of service ahead of us.
All for now off to meet with some college professors on an environmental project!
Love to all,
Matt & Karen
Monday, July 28, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The adjustments come fast and furious
Greetings all!
We are now with our host family - a lovely woman who is also a college professor at a local community college. She has extended every courtesy possible and it has helped.
I must confess that some aspects have been a bit troubling to deal with. The heat of course is ever present and we expected it. Perhaps not quite to this degree nor constancy but we did expect hot...we did not quite get the point of HOT. Somewhat more troublesome is the constant drumbeat of crime and theft by nearly everyone we come in contact with and who have our best interest at heart...and many people do watch for us. Everyhouse has double doors with burglar bars and all windows are treated in the same manner. That has taken some getting used to - even to the point of hiding our cell phones when we travel.
Now that all that is said, we have enjoyed the people and the various modes of travel that we are figuring out. Today, on the bus, we had asked the conductor to inform us of our stop at Nago Head but before he could, an older woman took us by the hand and showed us where to get off and catch our connection. We studied our material yesterday in the local library and three young women were coaching Karen on her Patwa. It was fun watching these three young students work with her and one of them actually went outside to watch with us while we waited for our taxi.
Transportation takes many forms here. The standard buses that most folks know are the 'chi chi' buses. Along the same routes are route taxis that just drive back and forth along the same route. When they stop to pick you up whereever you are walking, there is likely to be several [as in many] others sharing the ride with you. You best be comfortable sitting 5 or 6 in a back seat if you want a ride. There are also red taxis that are official taxis much like we have back in the states but occasionally lack a bumper, a light or other useful item that was originally made with the vehicle.
We are finding projects to start on soon though. So far Karen has taught a class to young teachers on safe food preparation and has a list of 80 schools to start working with. I have a project at Hellshire Beach to put in sanitary water and septic for the community there that is just one step above destitute as poor fishermen. Big hearts, no money. In addition, the Ministry of Health in Kingston wants me to be working with them 2 days a week on their new safety program. Finally, our host wants us to help her start an environmental team and take on a local community as a project when school starts up. So this will be good to be productive.
We would really like more letters or notes than we have gotten...please write!
All for now.
Love, Matt
We are now with our host family - a lovely woman who is also a college professor at a local community college. She has extended every courtesy possible and it has helped.
I must confess that some aspects have been a bit troubling to deal with. The heat of course is ever present and we expected it. Perhaps not quite to this degree nor constancy but we did expect hot...we did not quite get the point of HOT. Somewhat more troublesome is the constant drumbeat of crime and theft by nearly everyone we come in contact with and who have our best interest at heart...and many people do watch for us. Everyhouse has double doors with burglar bars and all windows are treated in the same manner. That has taken some getting used to - even to the point of hiding our cell phones when we travel.
Now that all that is said, we have enjoyed the people and the various modes of travel that we are figuring out. Today, on the bus, we had asked the conductor to inform us of our stop at Nago Head but before he could, an older woman took us by the hand and showed us where to get off and catch our connection. We studied our material yesterday in the local library and three young women were coaching Karen on her Patwa. It was fun watching these three young students work with her and one of them actually went outside to watch with us while we waited for our taxi.
Transportation takes many forms here. The standard buses that most folks know are the 'chi chi' buses. Along the same routes are route taxis that just drive back and forth along the same route. When they stop to pick you up whereever you are walking, there is likely to be several [as in many] others sharing the ride with you. You best be comfortable sitting 5 or 6 in a back seat if you want a ride. There are also red taxis that are official taxis much like we have back in the states but occasionally lack a bumper, a light or other useful item that was originally made with the vehicle.
We are finding projects to start on soon though. So far Karen has taught a class to young teachers on safe food preparation and has a list of 80 schools to start working with. I have a project at Hellshire Beach to put in sanitary water and septic for the community there that is just one step above destitute as poor fishermen. Big hearts, no money. In addition, the Ministry of Health in Kingston wants me to be working with them 2 days a week on their new safety program. Finally, our host wants us to help her start an environmental team and take on a local community as a project when school starts up. So this will be good to be productive.
We would really like more letters or notes than we have gotten...please write!
All for now.
Love, Matt
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Has it really been only two weeks?
Greetings all,
It is hard to believe that it has only been two weeks. The range of emotions, sights, people and training in the past 14 days has literally and figuratively spaned the oceans. From our departure from people and places that we love and cherish to a spartan atmosphere of mosquito nets, hand washing of laundry, walking to town for basic necessities [up hill both ways], studying for tests that we must score 100% and endless conversations about the program, Jamaica and our own lives is quite the span.
We are glad we made the decision and are looking forward to our time on site. This is not to say however that it the process has been error free. Some of the logistics the PC manages have been somewhat less than smooth or well thought out. For example, everyone is eager to know where they will be staying and especially for the married couples [ok me in particular] whether or not we will have our own space. The Peace Corps changed their program so that most will be living with their host families for two years and not in their own space as had been the case in prior years. For us, married 34 years and living together for 36, being a 'guest' for two years feels not right. However, I was reassured that they took that into consideration when making the assignments. Now 5 days prior to our departure they tell us that they have not yet made up their mind yet on where we are to be assigned. Maaslows heirarchy would seem to say that the most basic needs must be taken care of first and to have 52 people asking this question with no answer seems a bit disorganized.
Be that as it may, it is all about rolling with the punches and I think we are doing that amazingly well. We study, we laugh, we have a few beers, we walk to town and watch the antics of the 25 year olds as they act like puppies in a china shop in the evenings. And this adventure is doing one of the things that what we set out to do - to see each other in a new way. It is wonderful to see Karen from across the room energetically engaging on some topic or other with a group of people.
Our flatmates, Gary and Maraget have been a blessing. Good humored, easy, low maintenance and intelligent, we could not have found a better situation in this regard.
Under the catagory of odd quirks, we came back from the soical outing yesterday to find that several people had been locked out of their rooms by the maids who used the previously unused deadbolts on their doors...to which no one had a key. Refreshed my skills at picking a lock...
Others include: We are sharing the campus with a VERY evangelistic church group who are full of the fire and brimstone. Well into the evening you can hear the sermons from every corner as the ministers compete for the prize of describing the worst possible outcome for humanity. Combine this with the fact that their dorm is 50 feet from these rowdy, sometime 'casually' dressed and VERY hopeful and optimistic young Americans, it makes for a bit of a head twist how we all came from the same 'Lucy' in Africa so many years ago.
Kare has hers to add so I will end mine here for now. Please write. We need to stay connected.
Love to all,
Matt
It is hard to believe that it has only been two weeks. The range of emotions, sights, people and training in the past 14 days has literally and figuratively spaned the oceans. From our departure from people and places that we love and cherish to a spartan atmosphere of mosquito nets, hand washing of laundry, walking to town for basic necessities [up hill both ways], studying for tests that we must score 100% and endless conversations about the program, Jamaica and our own lives is quite the span.
We are glad we made the decision and are looking forward to our time on site. This is not to say however that it the process has been error free. Some of the logistics the PC manages have been somewhat less than smooth or well thought out. For example, everyone is eager to know where they will be staying and especially for the married couples [ok me in particular] whether or not we will have our own space. The Peace Corps changed their program so that most will be living with their host families for two years and not in their own space as had been the case in prior years. For us, married 34 years and living together for 36, being a 'guest' for two years feels not right. However, I was reassured that they took that into consideration when making the assignments. Now 5 days prior to our departure they tell us that they have not yet made up their mind yet on where we are to be assigned. Maaslows heirarchy would seem to say that the most basic needs must be taken care of first and to have 52 people asking this question with no answer seems a bit disorganized.
Be that as it may, it is all about rolling with the punches and I think we are doing that amazingly well. We study, we laugh, we have a few beers, we walk to town and watch the antics of the 25 year olds as they act like puppies in a china shop in the evenings. And this adventure is doing one of the things that what we set out to do - to see each other in a new way. It is wonderful to see Karen from across the room energetically engaging on some topic or other with a group of people.
Our flatmates, Gary and Maraget have been a blessing. Good humored, easy, low maintenance and intelligent, we could not have found a better situation in this regard.
Under the catagory of odd quirks, we came back from the soical outing yesterday to find that several people had been locked out of their rooms by the maids who used the previously unused deadbolts on their doors...to which no one had a key. Refreshed my skills at picking a lock...
Others include: We are sharing the campus with a VERY evangelistic church group who are full of the fire and brimstone. Well into the evening you can hear the sermons from every corner as the ministers compete for the prize of describing the worst possible outcome for humanity. Combine this with the fact that their dorm is 50 feet from these rowdy, sometime 'casually' dressed and VERY hopeful and optimistic young Americans, it makes for a bit of a head twist how we all came from the same 'Lucy' in Africa so many years ago.
Kare has hers to add so I will end mine here for now. Please write. We need to stay connected.
Love to all,
Matt
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Jamaican bus rides
Last night we were invited out to eat with a group of PCV's who are headed home and have just completed their first year of their assignment. Matt and I had walked to town in the afternoon to restock our lunch supplies and beverage supplies. We lugged the groceries home, a definate upper body workout. After dining in a Japanese restaurant that was almost resort-like, we headed home on a bus. It's absolute pandemonium: the conductor literally hangs out of the bus shouting where the bus is headed. We climbed on and hand to stand holding on to the railing as the bus was full. It's a wild and wooly ride with lots of honking and swerving to avoid cars, motorbikes,etc. It was like being on a ride at DisneyWorld.
The housekeeper at the dorms is a sweet, lively woman who actually lived in New York for five years. She helped us with out language homework one night. A bit of a stretch for her as she hardly speaks Patwa anymore. Well be headed to supper soon: usually chicken, fish, rice and peas, coleslaw, bread. Consuming at least 3-4 water bottlefulls on a daily basis. I feel like a wilted petunia by the end of the day. Had classes and work groups on development work . Lively discussions and our groups have to present a summary at the end.
Love, Karen
The housekeeper at the dorms is a sweet, lively woman who actually lived in New York for five years. She helped us with out language homework one night. A bit of a stretch for her as she hardly speaks Patwa anymore. Well be headed to supper soon: usually chicken, fish, rice and peas, coleslaw, bread. Consuming at least 3-4 water bottlefulls on a daily basis. I feel like a wilted petunia by the end of the day. Had classes and work groups on development work . Lively discussions and our groups have to present a summary at the end.
Love, Karen
Monday, July 7, 2008
Whirlwind days and nights
Well, it certainly has been intellectually stimulating so far. Class after class until 6 pm at night. Finally had a day off yesterday so we could do our first hand laundry in set tubs on the grounds of the college. It was quite entertaining seeing a row of PCV's dunking their clothes in a soapy sink then rinsing in another sink. We hung our laundry on the lines provided and groaned when a rain shower passed by, re-wetting our sopping clothes! The cold showers are actually quite refreshing. The water is turned off at 8 pm at night until the morning due to water rationing. We have a huge barrelful of water to use in between times.
Matt and I are sharing a suite with another couple, just like old college days. We have lots in common and I hope we will become fast friends for years to come. They are a delightful couple who love to joke around, yet are interesting conversationalists. Our breakfasts have consisted of fish, callalou ( a spinach type veggie), plaintains, eggs and toast. We haven't had dessert with any of the meals, so we are bound to slim down a bit, even though we've been sitting in classes. Matt and I got up early today to walk on a track nearby. Lots of Jamaicans out power walking with us.
The presenters have been fabulously entertaining and informative. We were shown very graphic pictures in our sexually transmitted diseases lecture/HIV/Aids lecture. The younger members of the group were a bit stunned at best. We had a speaker on emotional wellness and he did an amazing ice breaking activity that really got people thinking about diversity and commonalities. It was extremely emotional for many of the group. We are truly becoming a supportive community with lots of opportunity to converse.
We got our phones the first day, except that mine doesn't take internation calls, although Matt's does. We'll send along the number to our friends once we get it straightened out. Looks like we'll have lots of phone support from Peace Corps staff via phone which is reassuring.
Started our language classes today in earnest and we are all a bit befuddled with the rules and there is even a Patwa Alfabet( that's how it is spelled). A group of the younger volunteers challenged me to a Scrabble game last night and while I held my own, I didn't win. I'm determined to uphold the Folkschool women's honor in the next game.
I feel incredibly alive, accepted and challenged. It was the right decision to embark on this journey, even though it means time away from friends and family.
All for now,
Kare
Matt and I are sharing a suite with another couple, just like old college days. We have lots in common and I hope we will become fast friends for years to come. They are a delightful couple who love to joke around, yet are interesting conversationalists. Our breakfasts have consisted of fish, callalou ( a spinach type veggie), plaintains, eggs and toast. We haven't had dessert with any of the meals, so we are bound to slim down a bit, even though we've been sitting in classes. Matt and I got up early today to walk on a track nearby. Lots of Jamaicans out power walking with us.
The presenters have been fabulously entertaining and informative. We were shown very graphic pictures in our sexually transmitted diseases lecture/HIV/Aids lecture. The younger members of the group were a bit stunned at best. We had a speaker on emotional wellness and he did an amazing ice breaking activity that really got people thinking about diversity and commonalities. It was extremely emotional for many of the group. We are truly becoming a supportive community with lots of opportunity to converse.
We got our phones the first day, except that mine doesn't take internation calls, although Matt's does. We'll send along the number to our friends once we get it straightened out. Looks like we'll have lots of phone support from Peace Corps staff via phone which is reassuring.
Started our language classes today in earnest and we are all a bit befuddled with the rules and there is even a Patwa Alfabet( that's how it is spelled). A group of the younger volunteers challenged me to a Scrabble game last night and while I held my own, I didn't win. I'm determined to uphold the Folkschool women's honor in the next game.
I feel incredibly alive, accepted and challenged. It was the right decision to embark on this journey, even though it means time away from friends and family.
All for now,
Kare
Friday, July 4, 2008
We have successfully arrived in Jamaica!
Greetings all!
Well, the heat it is upon us... along with mosquitos and endless training. We are currently training at a teachers college and in the main it is working out well. Given the amount of material they are attempting to cover the days are long. The others in the class are fascinating people who have lived and travelled all over the world. Many of these folks make me feel like a lifelong homebody.
The conditions are somewhat sparten to be sure but everyone is approaching the challenges with equanimity and good humor. The general state of sleep deprivation has been the most difficult part for Karen and I personally but we hope, with the newly furnished mosquito net to be on better fighting terms with the mosquitos. We did have a presentation by notable dignitaries such as the US Ambassador to Jamaica. Also, a Jamaican band with about 20 singers and dancers presented some entertainment as well. I frankly would have appreciated it more tonight but it was not to be. The singers were fantastic but my endurance was less than it might have been after a 4:30 AM start to the morning.
The major issue that they seem to be spending a fair bit of time on is the Jamaican crime rate. They have the second highest murder rate in the world. However, it is, with one exception, all gang vs. gang type of violence and if we are smart to stay out of areas they tell us in advance, we stand very little likelihood of running into foul play. Good thing to as, try as she does, it is hard to run with Karen's short little legs....
We venture forth from the campus tomorrow to explain the bus system and various odds and ends about Kingston. With good fortune, several of us hope to find a bar to have a beer at. So far, the campus is 'dry'. We are here until July 17th and then we go to our site - whereever that is. The Peace Corps has the whole pay thing down quite well with money deposited directly into an account they set up for us. Setting up allowance, housing, food and all medical care are covered.
We will send pictures to the blog but the Peace Corps has asked us not to post pictures of our house when that blessed event occurs. However, pictures of our travels are all fair game.
Miss you all greatly already and look forward to the time we can invite you down!
Love, Matt & (Karen)
Well, the heat it is upon us... along with mosquitos and endless training. We are currently training at a teachers college and in the main it is working out well. Given the amount of material they are attempting to cover the days are long. The others in the class are fascinating people who have lived and travelled all over the world. Many of these folks make me feel like a lifelong homebody.
The conditions are somewhat sparten to be sure but everyone is approaching the challenges with equanimity and good humor. The general state of sleep deprivation has been the most difficult part for Karen and I personally but we hope, with the newly furnished mosquito net to be on better fighting terms with the mosquitos. We did have a presentation by notable dignitaries such as the US Ambassador to Jamaica. Also, a Jamaican band with about 20 singers and dancers presented some entertainment as well. I frankly would have appreciated it more tonight but it was not to be. The singers were fantastic but my endurance was less than it might have been after a 4:30 AM start to the morning.
The major issue that they seem to be spending a fair bit of time on is the Jamaican crime rate. They have the second highest murder rate in the world. However, it is, with one exception, all gang vs. gang type of violence and if we are smart to stay out of areas they tell us in advance, we stand very little likelihood of running into foul play. Good thing to as, try as she does, it is hard to run with Karen's short little legs....
We venture forth from the campus tomorrow to explain the bus system and various odds and ends about Kingston. With good fortune, several of us hope to find a bar to have a beer at. So far, the campus is 'dry'. We are here until July 17th and then we go to our site - whereever that is. The Peace Corps has the whole pay thing down quite well with money deposited directly into an account they set up for us. Setting up allowance, housing, food and all medical care are covered.
We will send pictures to the blog but the Peace Corps has asked us not to post pictures of our house when that blessed event occurs. However, pictures of our travels are all fair game.
Miss you all greatly already and look forward to the time we can invite you down!
Love, Matt & (Karen)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
In Miami and off again to the Island of Jamaica!
Today we finished our "staging training" which covers the more elementary aspects of our soon to be assignment in Jamaica. The training covered, in the main, aspects of cultural sensitivity and our interaction with the Jamaican culture. Crime, ever present on the island, is something we knew and know we needed to contend with. MOST of the crime is Islander on Islander violence and theft but we still need to know how to make ourselves as small a target as is possible with our white skin and whitey ways.
Our fellow travelers are a truly diverse group hailing from all over the United States. Most of the group, as expected, is younger but there is also a significant contingent of older [like us] group as well. The reasons they are taking this challenge on is very much like the reasons we are. Wanting to do some good for the world while at the same time having an 'excellant adventure'. There are 7 married couples in the group of 52 souls. The list of educational accomplishments and the travelogues of these young folks is very impressive. Out of the group only one had never been out of the USA. Many had studied abroad and others had performed other service arrangements elsewhere on the globe. Their stories are extensive and totally without any sort of self agrandizement flavor to them at all. Karen and I have enjoyed their company - all of them - immensely.
We head to the island at 6 AM tomorrow. The beaurocratic nature of the Peace Corps dictates that we be on our way to the airport 5 hours ahead of our actual flight time. Such is the nature of group travel I suppose. They have been very organized and linear in their information to us and while some is a bit over emphasized, it has nevertheless been complete.
So this is our last mainland note until we write from Jamaica. Our thanks to Ben for his help in getting us out of the house on time. The separation from home went as smoothly as we could hope although I am still a bit choked up about my final walk with the dog on our land. He is in good hands with Devin and Rich though with Ben as an assist.
Love to all,
Matt
Our fellow travelers are a truly diverse group hailing from all over the United States. Most of the group, as expected, is younger but there is also a significant contingent of older [like us] group as well. The reasons they are taking this challenge on is very much like the reasons we are. Wanting to do some good for the world while at the same time having an 'excellant adventure'. There are 7 married couples in the group of 52 souls. The list of educational accomplishments and the travelogues of these young folks is very impressive. Out of the group only one had never been out of the USA. Many had studied abroad and others had performed other service arrangements elsewhere on the globe. Their stories are extensive and totally without any sort of self agrandizement flavor to them at all. Karen and I have enjoyed their company - all of them - immensely.
We head to the island at 6 AM tomorrow. The beaurocratic nature of the Peace Corps dictates that we be on our way to the airport 5 hours ahead of our actual flight time. Such is the nature of group travel I suppose. They have been very organized and linear in their information to us and while some is a bit over emphasized, it has nevertheless been complete.
So this is our last mainland note until we write from Jamaica. Our thanks to Ben for his help in getting us out of the house on time. The separation from home went as smoothly as we could hope although I am still a bit choked up about my final walk with the dog on our land. He is in good hands with Devin and Rich though with Ben as an assist.
Love to all,
Matt
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