Island Wheels!

Rob and I are the proud new owners of a 1996 Toyota Rav4!  Yay!

Ok, it's old, it's beat up, and it needs some parts. why would we buy and old, beat up car that needs parts? Cause ALL the cars on the island are the same. This car isn't so bad... there are way worse here on St. Kitts.

Right side drive

Check out the sweet, squiggly sticker on the rear door

Pretty Classy, huh?

Monkey Hill Hike

On Mondays a group of VIPs get together and hike somewhere around the island. I decided to join them this past Monday on the Monkey Hill Hike. Apparently is is named for the Green Vervet Monkeys that have been seen there, we did not see any on our trip. There were a ton of cows though... and I do not like cows.

We met at school at about 8am and headed over to the hill, which is over 1000 ft tall... a big hill. we had to walk through a town, I believe it's called Belle Vue, to get to the main trail head. We hiked past a field full of cows, and a big house with some very loud dogs. There are supposed to be ruins of one of the old Great Houses, but I didn't see anything this time. The hike up was relatively easy, but it was very humid. I didn't have a scrap of dry clothing to wipe my sweaty brow with. I had a sheen of sweat covering my entire body. So gross.

View of Basseterre and the Southeast Peninsula. The Atlantic Ocean is on the left and the Caribbean Sea is on the right.

Once at the top we had amazing views of Bassterre, Port Zante, the airport, and the Southeast Peninsula (with the Atlantic Ocean on the left, and the Caribbean Sea on the right). It was beautiful! Check out all the photos here.  I was kind of a nerd and made it Lost themed (the show Lost).

Oh, two more thing, unrelated to hiking. Rob passed his first exam! Hooray! Tuesday nights are trivia here on St. Kitts. Last night our team, Ting Country, won first place!!! Yay!

Sandstorms and Snorkeling at Shipwreck!

Yesterday was a sunny, sandy, snorkel-y day at Shipwreck beach!  Trevor, Candice, Vanessa, Jessica, and I all headed to the beach at about noon (Rob, Brayton, Kate, and Leann came later, after the Microanatomy study session). It was a real nice beach day, sun shining, super clear water- perfect for snorkeling!

Candice and I snorkeled a bit right off the beach and saw some real cool fish and reef balls- concrete balls sunk to create artificial reefs. The reef balls looked pretty new, not to many fish or corals had moved in yet. I can't wait to see how it changes over the next two years.

Shipwreck Beach.

Later in the afternoon Rob, Trevor, Kate, Leann, and Brayton walked to the end of the beach to go snorkeling around some big rocks. They were gone for quite awhile, and they missed what was the closest thing to a sandstorm I've seen since leaving Egypt! It was REALLY windy at the beach, it was blowing so hard the sand hurt when it hit you. It went on for about 20-30 min, with varying levels of wind-speed. By the time it was over I was covered with sand... I looked like a breaded cutlet! I still have sand in my ears.

The non-snorkelers- Candice, Vanessa, Jessica and I decided to go find our fishy friends. We followed their path to the end of the beach, discovering a really calm, clear cove- with a nearly complete restaurant (allegedly opening next month- I hope it's good). At the edge of the cove there was a rocky outcropping with a murky lagoon on the opposite side. We didn't see the snorkelers at first, but eventually we saw them swimming back our way.

Kate and her awesome conch shell

Kate had found a HUGE, beautiful, orange and pink Queen Conch shell. Rob also found a conch shell, but it was smaller and pretty bleached out.  Rob did get some really great snorkeling photos- so, if the vet thing doesn't work out, he clearly has a future in underwater photography. (I kid, I kid! We all know he is going to kick butt in school!) He saw a sea slug (he thinks), squid, and a Lion fish.  Seeing the lion fish is interesting because they are not native to the Atlantic or Caribbean; they are an invasive species and they are harming the local marine ecosystem. Rob's classmate Alyssa said they people are allowed to KOS (kill on site), but I don't know if that is true. Plus, lion fish have nasty venomous spines... so, I not sure I am interested in fighting one to the death!

Sea Slug (we think)

Lion Fish

We all stopped to get dinner at Pizza Boys, one of the local pizza joints. Verdict? Meh. As anyone who has met me knows, I am something of a pizza snob. It was better than Egypt, but not as good as back home. Oh well...

Rob and I stayed in last night so he could get some more studying in before his big test Monday.  We went to bed around midnight, and at 7 this morning Rob had me awake. For the first time in over 5 years, the first time since we have been together, Rob was sick. My poor hubs was so dizzy he could barely stand, and when he did try to stand, the dizziness was so bad it made him sick-physically sick. Rob said it felt like the world's worst hang over... which is unfortunate considering he didn't have any alcohol yesterday. Rob has been in and out of bed all day, all while trying to study without the room spinning. He is now attempting to study with Brayton downstairs in the study room. I was not pleased since he was swaying down the steps. Oh well, Mr. Stubborn Pants does whatever he wants. I just hope he's better by 10am tomorrow when his test begins.

If you would like to see the rest of our pictures from yesterday, click here!

One month down!

Rob and I have been living in St. Kitts for a whole month already! 

Only 84 days til we are home for Christmas!

Rob finished his third week of classes today, and next Monday he has his first test (in Microanatomy).  He also has a mock exam on Thursday in regular Anatomy.  Feel free to email, call, or facebook him a good luck message. Even though he studies like a mad mad, I'm sure he'll take all the good juju sent his way. :)

I am settling into housewife/VIP living pretty well. I don't mind cooking, or doing laundry, I could do without the sweeping, mopping, and I hate our bathroom. Dirty dishes I hate the MOST. We have a tiny sink and every time I turn around there seems to be a sink full of dirty dishes. Bleh. I am trying very hard to do all of it myself so Rob can study all the time.

Being a VIP is easier and more fun. Tuesday was volleyball at Elvis' again, Wednesday I went to the food market here on campus (several fruit, veg, and meat vendors, including the Rastafarians, come to campus to sell goods), and on Thursday Trevor and I went to a pool party at Kori's apartment complex (she's a 7th semester VIP). Today Trevor and I managed to wake up and get to the gym on campus before it got busy.  I headed back up to campus to have lunch with Rob, which was fun.  This afternoon Trevor and I ran by port to buy some local rum (yay for duty free), and the grocery before our spouses got home. I was able to secure the necessary ingredients for some super yummy chili! Our friends are all going to see the movie Contagion tonight, but Rob and I were feeling like homebodies, so we are in for the night.

Carnival ship Victory from our apartment.

As the sun was setting tonight, I noticed something sparkly out our window facing Port Zante. The Carnival cruise ship Victory was leaving port and was all lit up! Victory starts out in San Juan, Puerto Rico, then visits ports in St. Thomas, Barbados, St.Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten. It was really pretty to see, and I get to see the ships leave every week!

She was much closer than she looks in the picture.

Tomorrow is hopefully another beach day. I think we are going to try to go snorkeling at Shipwreck beach. This week we are supposed to get hit, or nearly missed by Tropical Storm Ophelia. I'm not to worried as of yet, but we shall see if she strengthens.

Next Thursday Rob and I will have something exciting to share! Don't get your panties in a wad. It's not really exciting, just kind of.

Finally, in 31 days my cousin Lia and my friend Mauri will be visiting me and Rob for my birthday! I cannot WAIT to see them. They are two of my best friends and they were both in our wedding. I am very excited to share our new home with them! Lia is also really excited that there is no revolution like when she came to Egypt!

Holidays, markets, and beachfest

This week has flown by! Rob was stuck in class all day, but I had some adventures with my fellow VIPs.

Tuesday is volleyball day at Elvis's bar for VIPs. So, Trevor and I got a ride from our friend Anthony and headed over. I was the only lady there, and the boys were playing a bit to intense for me, so I pulled up a lounge chair and relaxed with my book by the water. Even though I didn't get to meet/hang out with any other VIP ladies, I did meet some guys that I hadn't met before. Tuesday night I headed to trivia with Trevor and Kate, and Matt. It was quite possibly the absolute worst game of trivia ever. I can't even talk about it. It wasn't that we lost badly, the people running the game were complete morons.

Wednesday was another beach day. Nothing special, just a couple hours at the beach. Thursday and Friday were stay at home days for the most part. I had my first VIP book club meeting (we are reading Game of Thrones). Rob and I also test drove some cars, one we hated, one we liked. Neither are great cars, but they are decent enough for island cars. We shall see how that pans out.

Today I went to the local food market with Cassie, Candice, and Vanessa. The market is in Basseterre and not for the faint of heart. There are lots of fruits and veg, REAL cinnamon (the kind that has recently been ripped off the tree in really big pieces), lots of spices, and the creepiest meat section.  This is the kind of market where none of the fruit is perfect- bumps and bruises are commonplace, but the price is right and the people are nice! I really wish I had had my camera... next time I promise to obtain photo-documentation. I bought a huge avocado, some tomatoes, bay leaves, and some free tarragon (which I have not used before).  It was really cool! The meat house... not so cool. I was not creep-ed out by the skinned goat head on the counter (I've seen that in Astoria), nor was I creep-ed out by the whole sides of beef and pork (with heads still attached- I've seen that in Egypt... well, not the pigs). I was, however, real grossed out by the WHOLE, smelly, not fresh looking, string ray sitting on the counter. I cannot stomach meat in hot and smelly (NOT refrigerated) environments. Same reason I had a difficult time buying beef in Egypt after watching them butcher the side outside in the heat. Gross.

This afternoon was Beachfest, hosted by the SCUBA club and held at Reggae Beach. It was alright, but it was way to crowded for my taste. For $70EC, it was all you could drink and a hamburger or hotdog and fries. There were a ton of Rossies there, so it was hard to find anywhere to sit, and the beach was packed with drunks students. It was still fun to hang out with our friends; I don't get to see a lot of my student friends during the week, and I miss them! We swam, played bag-o (or corn hole), some people played volley ball and frisbee... it was nice. I also got to read a lot of my book for book club. Around the agreed upon leaving time it began to POUR... torrential downpour. We rode with Sackville, our taxi guy, so we had to wait until the rain let up a bit; the roads are very dicey out by Reggae Beach.

We are hanging out at home now, I think we are meeting up with friends later and getting some Chinese delivery for dinner. It's certainly not the best Chinese food, but it is WAY better than the kind we got in Egypt!

Oh, I totally forgot to tell you about the Kittitian holidays this weekend! Friday was Hero's Day here is St. Kitts. It is a national holiday here, honoring their heroes (I assume war heroes, but I'm not positive). Most businesses were closed, but not Ross University.  Monday is St. Kitts Independence day! Hooray! Happy 28th Birthday St.Kitts! Yup, St. Kitts is the same age as me! Ross University is closed Monday, so all the students have a three day weekend. There is a big parade planned for Monday. It starts at 7am... so I don't know if I will make it... :)

Sorry that there are no pictures today friends, I didn't bring the camera to the market, but I promise I will next time!

Olympics, Mustaches, and Tropical Storm Maria

When last we spoke, I told tale of Rob and the Red semester's soccer prowess.  Since that first day of the Olympics, we have been having more fun! Thursday was kickball day, both Rob's team and my VIPs were out first round. Rob was a good boy though; since we got home early he went and studied his butt off at the anatomy lab with his friend Brayton.  I watched TV and ate cookies. My life is hard too.  Friday was flag football. Red won their first game, lost their second, and was SUPPOSED to play for third place. However, they skies opened up, and people scattered. Unfortunately, the rain didn't last and Red had to forfeit because they did not have enough players.  The Yellow VIPs played a great game against the 7th semester Orange team.  However, flag football turned into tackle football. We were winning, then close to the end of the game Orange scored to grab the lead. Yellow was able to make a last second touchdown, only to be told, oh sorry time already ran out! We never win.

After football was the BOSP, or the beginning of the semester party. It was located at the "Dome House" which is literally a house in the shape of a dome. It was a bit weird. There is a theme each semester, and this semester's theme was mustaches (I have no idea, don't ask). If you wanted to get in, you had to have a mustache. Rob, Brayton, Leann (Brayton's wife), and I all banned together and made matching 'staches. They were very fancy. We were some of the first people there, and it looked like it was going to be quite lame. After an hour or so, things really picked up and tons of people were there.  We hadn't eaten dinner, and I was starving. Since other people also mentioned being hungry, we decided the only course of action was to order pizza. To a stranger's house, in a neighborhood we didn't know... After about 45 minutes and several phone calls from the delivery boy, we finally got our pizzas and promptly scarfed them down. Best idea ever. We headed home around midnight, which might have been the second best idea ever because it started to pour after that.  Rob and I went to bed assuming that Tropical Storm Maria was upon us.

Mustachioed friends.

When I awoke Saturday morning, I saw the clear, blue, sunny sky and immediately thought I was dreaming. We were told Maria was coming Saturday, and I was prepared to spend a rainy day in my pajamas watching movies.  I was not dreaming, it was, in fact, a clear, blue, sunny day. I called up our friends and we planned a beach day. We figured we wouldn't waste a beautiful Saturday just because a tropical storm was headed our way! The Marriott beach, on the Atlantic coast, was our destination, and we were not disappointed. We spent several spectacular hours in the nice warm, clear water. The waves were a bit choppy, but not the worst I've seen.  The Marriott beach is artificial, so there are several areas where they have placed rocks as barriers. We stayed in front of the rocks; the water was calmer, and the waves crashing on the rocks was really pretty. After rinsing in the pool, we headed back to Ross via the grocery store. Due to the alleged tropical storm, everything was shut down and we had to try three store before we found one open. Oy Vey.

Waves at the Marriott Beach

Last night Brayton and Leann had some people over for what was supposed to be a hurricane party, but Maria failed to make an appearance. We drank a lot of rum, ate salad, guacamole, and buffalo chicken dip. We also played a lot of card games; Rob and I realized that out of the five card games we brought we forgot our beloved Phase 10! Devastation. Despite the lack of Phase 10, a good time was had by all (especially the boys).

It's like we're back in college. Yikes.

This morning when I woke up, I realized that Tropical Storm Maria must have gotten tired of all the trash I was talking because it was cloudy, rainy, and the surf in the Caribbean was pretty high. My first thought was, "hey, why don't we go down to the beach and take some pictures and video?" Luckily, I have a wilder-y husband and off we went with our friend Trevor. The rain had slowed, but the wind was so strong I needed help opening the door to our building!  We made the trek down to the water meeting some angry looking cats and millions of very adorable hermit crabs along the way. Once down at the beach gazebo, we were not disappointed by old Maria. The waves were really cool, exploding into mist upon hitting the rocks. The water was neatly split into three colors: murky green near shore, bright aqua just off shore, and deep dark blue farther out. After we had our fill of splish-splashing we headed back home. On the way we met a super cute lizard hanging out upside down on a palm tree. His body was bright green, but his tail was reddish brown. Rob took about 100 pictures of him; Hurricane lizard likes to model.

Ross Beach during Tropical Storm Maria

Same shot as above, different wave!

Now we are all settled in for the day. Rob is studying like the vet school nerd he is, and I plan on watching food network for the next 8 hours! Hopefully Tropical Storm Maria will spin out today and we'll be back to beautiful weather!

Close up of Lizardo the fantastic Hurricane Lizard.

For all of the pictures from the last few days click here.
Side note: my cousin Lia has booked her trip down here for my birthday! I can't wait to see her in October!

Semester Olympics!

At the beginning of each term, Ross hosts the Semester Olympics. For four days each semester AND the VIPs compete in various sports. Different colors represent each of the semesters and the VIPS. Rob's class color is red, and the VIPs (my team) is yellow.

The Olympics began today with soccer. Initially, I planned to make one post at the end of the games with general recap. However, plans had to be changed.

Red made it all the way to the finals, beating Pink (5th semester) and Green (3rd Semester). In the finals they faced Blue (6th semester). Unfortunately they did not win first place, but given this was Red's first semester and first Olympics and had the fewest supporters, I think they did great!

Go Red!

Rob was an enthusiastic part of the soccer team, playing in each game and earning a skinned, bloody knee. Yay Rob!

The VIPs did not fair so well, and we were eliminated in the first round. Tomorrow is kickball. I am considering playing... A scary move for an "athletic supporter" such as myself.