Grenadian Nature & Generosity

We have 5 different trees & an herb garden in the backyard.  Learned that they are Soursop, Waxed Apple, Grapefruit, Coconut &, one other tree that bears grapes (forgot the name).  This is a picture of the grapefruit (peel is very think) & waxed apples just picked (tastes like a mix of apple & pear).  We now have a hand blender so made a soursop smoothie.  Very good and good for you!

Terry presented us with a breadfruit from his backyard (see pic below) and with this & other stuff in our fridge made "Oil Down" - the national dish of Grenada.  Veeeery filling & good. 

 



 

 



"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Wishing you all a wonderful, healthy 2015!  Rang the New Year in at the Port Louis Marina in St. Georges.  Ten seconds after midnight, the fireworks started and so did the rain.  This is a picture from under a tent with 500 other people last night and, Port Louis during a typical day.

 

 

It was 'standing' only to watch & dance with the series of reggae & soka bands.  The featured singer came on at 1:30am and ended at 3am.  The party continued but the tender feet had to retire.  These shoes saved me last night - the only comfy shoe I have. 

 

"Promote One's Self"

Well I'm back on the tennis court or, as the Grenadians say "yu playin' lawn tennis".  Thanks in part to my Wimbledon umbrella that sure gets conversation going & tennis connections.  Here's a picture of me & my umbrella that I could have actually used this morning when a "trick" rain washed out the game & across the road it was dry - go figure!

I was also told to visit Nikki's Shoe store in town because her husband Glyn is a tennis pro & coach to their son Yannick who is the #1 tennis player in Grenada.  And yes... he's named after Yannick Noah!  Connection made and Glyn is fixing my forehand topspin so look out you tennis players out there.  Here's pictures of Glyn in action & me on court...

 

 

Yannick is competing right now for a position at the PanAm games in Toronto.  I hope he represents Grenada & said I would be cheering for them and maybe even... line calling his game through Tennis Canada - although I don't want any challenges.  Too funny - what a small world!

 

Christmas Eve and Day

Woke up early on Christmas Eve (24th) to the honking of a donkey outside my bedroom window.  Usually it's roosters & goats.  Later found out that the donkey was going to be performing at a nativity pageant in town.  Here's a photo of the donkey with our little white house in the background.  The 2nd picture is the donkey performing on Christmas Eve.

 

Today, strolled down to Grand Anse beach for an early morning Christmas dip. Ahhhh... so refreshing & quiet at 8am. 

 

 

 

 Then went to Sara & Family's house (another Canadian volunteer) for Christmas lunch - a nice gathering with their neighbours - see photo below.  And while we were chatting, an open truck with musicians drove by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  These trucks have been driving up & down streets for the past few days singing Christmas carols a la reggae style (see 2nd photo)

 

 

The group of Canadians ended the day back at the beach.  Here's a picture of 3 of the 4 volunteers (Myriam, Sara, & I)

 

"Merry Christmas" from Grenada

Just wanted to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!  2 more sleeps before Santa arrives and 2 more days of shopping left.  I have to admit it doesn't quite feel like Christmas.  Lots of tinsel and ribbons but very few Christmas lights (perhaps at resorts?) as electricity is super expensive.  People dress up with Santa hats and there's plenty of Christmas music blaring from huge (and I mean HUGE) speakers just about anywhere.  In fact, there are open-back trucks with 6-8 musicians on them that go up and down the streets singing Christmas songs a la reggae style... like "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" or "Let it Shine, let it shine, let it shine" (not snow)!?  Too funny.  Here's a picture of a little girl just outside the house on her last day of school.  We live next door to the school...

"Hand-Over" to the Community

An active week for MAREP - they had 2 "Hand-Over" ceremonies in different Parishes (total 15 Parishes in Grenada).  MAREP provided grants to build 2 rural roads to provide farmers easier access to transport their goods.  This was handing over the road to the community so that as one resident said; "it will save them 2 pairs of shoes each time it rains when they have to haul their products down the steep hill in mud".  This is a pic of the new road in St. Patricks Parish and the ceremony with the head of MAREP (Mr. Campbell) speaking. 

 

 

Went back to Sauteurs for the 3rd time this week (Fri) for a year-end Beach social with MAREP staff.  Setting was beautiful where the Caribbean and Atlantic ocean meet - so the water is rough and crashes against the cliffs. (see pic below).  Picnic on the beach includes bringing these HUGE pots where they cook up all kinds of root vegetables (ie. edo, yam, cassava, plantain, breadfruit), dumplings, & ALL parts of the chicken over a fire for a couple of hours. 

 

After lunch, we had a mandatory hike over the steep ridge (see above pic) through the bush, climbing over rock and jumping across streams - I did this in my sandals - crazy!  When we reached the next beach on the other side... some of the staff were elated and so was I, except my thighs felt like jelly.

 

Gotta Love Public Transit

It's been a busy week - had to travel to MAREP's H.O. (north side of island) twice in the past 4 days.  Got up early (5am) to catch a bus & got a 'Pound the Road' one... ok, they drive crazy fast.  Then transferred to another bus & during rush hour they sure pack them in.  A bus has 15 seats & at one point, there were 22 people - some sitting on others.  This doesn't include the 30lt petro can that was filled I must add that was squeezed in too.  Thank goodness the lady with a box of chickens couldn't fit in!  Very interesting to see how the conductor shuffles passengers and re-packs at every bus stop.  It took 2 hours to reach Sauteurs just in time for my meeting and Christmas lunch.  Here's pictures of the team I work with (my boss Afzal is 2nd from right) - we went to Petit Anse Hotel.