Out With the Old, In With the New!! Welcome E.C.79!

In February of 2009 we finally got our new group of Peace Corps Volunteers on Grenada! It was a long awaited arrival considering that we were expecting them to come in August of'08, but that didn't happen due to budget cuts and restructuring of the training program. In any case, they're here now so HOORAY! I'm not going to lie. . .I was like a 007 trying to figure out who these new volunteers were before they got here. I was able to figure out who a couple of them were and I Facebook stalked them until the day their little feet landed on Grenadian soil. I'm not ashamed, but as I'm sure they will feel when it is their time, I have grown to love Grenada as my own and I wasn't about to have any crazies up in here!! (At least not without warning.) Luckily, they're all great! We started out with eight volunteers and one dropped at the orientation in Miami, and another early terminated right after swearing in. As of June, we are down to six E.C.79 volunteers, all with their own talents and it seems that they have easily integrated into Grenadian life.

As is traditional when new PCV's swear in, we threw a couple parties for them to celebrate their first night of freedom away from their homestays. The first one was on a weeknight right after the ceremony so it was more of a relaxed atmosphere with no real craziness to speak of. Don't you worry though. . .when that Friday rolled around, we had the big blowout at my house. It was a Mexican theme because we were including Karla's (new PCV) birthday celebration and well, she's Mexican so it only seemed right that we should latch onto every heinous Mexican stereotype that we could think of and make a party of it. Inluded was a pinata, a bucket of margaritas, many tequila shots, and some creative, (yet slightly offensive,) costumes.

So to EC79. . .welcome and congratulations!! We're happy to have you join our dysfunctional family!

Sauteurs. . .Home Away From Home

It seems like just yesterday I was busy being a complete nuisance to our Associate Peace Corps Director, Franka. Every time I saw her I begged her to tell me where I was going to be placed in Grenada and finally, she showed me on a map this tiny dot of a village called Sauteurs, located in the parish of St. Patrick's. Now, to be completely honest I was a little disappointed because I was placed about an hour and a half away from the capitol of St. George's where all the tourist resorts are, where the American style nightclubs are, and where any sense of familiarity might be achieved in times of homesickness. I immediately began to wonder, will I make friends? Am I going to live in a shack? Will I have to draw my water from a well? Forunately for me, all of the these worries were just that; worries. I live more comfortably than I did in Seattle, (aside from the constant beads of sweat rolling down my every unmentionable area,) with my high speed internet, cable, and guaranteed money in the bank on the first of every month. Once the economy started to take a nose dive, I knew that there was no place I would rather been then here.

To give you an idea, Sauteurs is what people refer to as a "historical" village which is located on the very northernmost tip of the island. The population remains at around 1300 in Sauteurs alone but there are numerous smaller villages surrounding Sauteurs. One of the main tourist attractions is called "Carib's Leap," and it marks the spot in which the Carib natives jumped off a cliff to their deaths rather then surrender to the French back in the 1600's. Although the brain matter, blood, and guts have been washed away, there now remains a museum and lookout point. (Romantic, huh?) Sauteurs is referred to by locals as "the country," or "Behind God's Back," but even so it is not completely desolate. There are a couple of nice bars, a few rum shops, clothing stores, internet cafe, and even a nightclub which is not like any nightclub you'd find in America. It is more like the basement of a frat house, sticky floor and all. On most days you will find street vendors selling anything from produce, to clothes, to freshly butchered "street meat." The decapitated head and limbs of the animal will usually be sitting on the cement staring up at you while you contemplate the various health code violations that are being broken. One of the best things about Sauteurs is that it is located right on the water. There are beautiful beaches within minutes of my house although it is rare that I ever spend time on them.

If you know me at all, then you know that living in Sauteurs was a huge change from my fast paced lifestyle back in Seattle. Here, I found that I had way too much time on my hands and I usually occupied myself by overanalyzing various aspects of my life. Once I began to integrate and make friends I was able to comfortably go out to the club or go kick some ass on the pool table and I am proud to say that I have made a name for myself in Sauteurs by being virtually the only girl who can beat the men at pool. Sometimes though, the men don't appreciate my mad skills. :) I have tried every brand of local rum, even the "under the counter" which is a local homemade rum made from various herbs and spices. Sometimes you will also find scorpions and cockroaches floating around in the mixture to add that little special something. Needless to say, the rum here is not my friend. It is about 80% alcohol which is uh. .. something like 160 proof? On most nights, I stay far away from the local rum.

As for the people who inhabit this village, they are wonderful. It has been difficult to live in this sort of "fishbowl" environment, and if anything, it has solidified the fact that I do not want to ever be famous. People I've never spoken to know exactly where I live and what I do, and God forbid I let a man into my house! If I let more than a couple men into my house within a given period of time. . .the eyebrows start to raise. I will say though, that the people here are refreshingly hospitable. Once when I was cleaning my shower, my big ass broke the pipe and water was spraying everywhere. My neighbors, whom I'd never spoken to, came right over with their tools and had it glued back together within the hour. Who in the United States would do that for a complete stranger unless they were getting paid?

I am woken up by sheep, chickens, loud music blaring from my neighbor's industrial sized speakers, or the blowing of a conch shell by someone selling fish out of a wheelbarrow. . .and to me, these have become the sounds of home.

It's Raining Men. . .and I Need an Umbrella.

When I tell people that I am living in the Caribbean working as a Peace Corps volunteer, you would think that their primary interest would be in relation to the work that I do. Wrong! I have found that people want to hear a very brief account of the actual work experience and most of the time they will politely say "mmhmm. . .really?" every few minutes to give the impression that they are, in fact, listening. In actuality I know it is difficult for people relate to my life here and the work that I do, so for those who have faked their interest. . .thank you for trying. I don't hold it against you and when I get back home I will still consider you a friend. What people are willing to sit and listen to, however, are the details of my romantic encounters. Maybe it's because people think of the Caribbean as such a romantic place running wild with half naked, nicely chisled men with accents and dark chocolately complexions. While this is certainly the truth at times, romance and love have been a stranger to me here.

It is quite common that Peace Corps volunteers meet and "date" locals. It is only to be expected since our stay here is substantial enough to foster a real relationship should the volunteer be so lucky. Actually, in my group alone, 9 of the 13 volunteers have all had relationships at one time or another. Three of those have turned into long term relationships, and I have no doubt that one of those three will end in marriage. I wasn't as fortunate, but don't feel sorry for me. I think I was probably my own biggest enemy in finding a happy and healthy relationship. As an American, I am always having to be very cautious about a man's intentions because unfortunately, many of the men here want a "white girl" just for the bragging rights and it is highly likely that one day you'll be woken up at 8:30 in the morning by a phone call from his girlfriend inquiring as to why her boyfriend doesn't come home at his normal time anymore. (Insert nervous laughter here.) Obviously, this is purely hypothetical.

The first week I lived in Sauteurs I introduced myself to a man on the side of the road who sits day after day selling various things. Sometimes roasted corn, sometimes fruits, sometimes local wine, etc. He has a glass eye that is a bit odd to stare into at first, but you get used to it after some time. After two minutes of leisurely conversation he asks if I have a boyfriend, and not knowing any better yet I say, "No." He says, "Can I be your boyfriend?" To which I respond to with overly nervous laughter and I walk away saying, "Alright," which is the common way to end conversations here. But this is not uncommon, men wanting to be your boyfriend, men wanting to know if you need "company." I am used to what Peace Corps calls "unwanted attention," and I fear that upon my return to the United States, I may actually miss it. I mean. . . where else in the world can you come home from a long days work, sweat rolling down every nook and cranny, clothes haven't been washed in weeks, maybe you've packed on a few pounds, and yet. . .there is some man desiring you in all your fat, stinky, dirty glory?

Anyhow, I digress. (Is that how it's spelled?) I have found myself yearning for companionship especially these last few months. At the same time, as I've gotten older, I've also realized how much lonelier it can feel when you fill the void with meaningless encounters in hope of feeling something more. Therefore, I will wait for someone special, someone who deserves all the love that I have to give. So no. . .I have not fallen in love here and that is okay. I think if I had been more open to the possibility earlier in my service there was potential with one man, but I stupidly let that opportunity slip and there is nothing I can do now but wish him well and that is what I will do. No time for regrets. . .

Family Fun

The last week and a half I have been reminded of how lucky I am to be surrounded by such good friends and family. I went home May 17th for what was truly a “family reunion.” I am the youngest of four in my family and it is on rare occasion that I am fortunate enough to see my siblings. It is an even rarer occasion that we are all in the same place at the same time. But this week, we all came to my parent’s home in Marysville, Washington to help our mom and dad celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. I haven’t seen my oldest brother and his family for about four years, my other brother for three years, and my sister for about 3 or 4 years. My sister Tara is currently deployed in Iraq but was able to take leave for a couple weeks which is nice since it wouldn’t have felt complete without her. My oldest brother David lives in Colorado with his wife and three children. My other brother Peter lives in Tampa with his fiancé who is pregnant with my new niece or nephew! My Aunt and Uncle also flew in from San Diego for the occasion, so for the Andes family. . .it was an event!

Unlike the blizzard I encountered when I came home in December, the weather was amazing! Sunny and warm for pretty much the entire duration of my visit which, I must say, made the reunion that much more enjoyable. Since living in Grenada, I truly have a new appreciation for Seattle and the wide diversity of people that live there. I took my family to Seattle’s annual Folklife Festival which is a huge event characterized by tons of live music, greasy food, street performers, vendors, and people out and about unafraid to be who they are. My family hated it because of the massive crowds of “strange and freaky” people, but I loved it. To me, it was a symbol of all the things I have missed about Seattle; diversity and freedom to be who you are.

A couple weeks before I left to visit home I had turned in my letter to the Peace Corps requesting a one year extension of my service, however, I have withdrawn that request. I have had a lot of great memories and experiences living in Grenada but I am beginning to the feel that all too familiar itch of needing a change of pace. I realize my Peace Corps service has been so wonderful partly because of the other volunteers with whom I have shared this experience and without them here, I know it would be difficult and even more lonesome than it is already. Being back in Seattle around my family also reminded me of just how much I miss them. Grenada will always hold a special place in my heart, but I am ready to begin the next chapter of my life, whatever that may be. Now I am looking at just two and half more months on this beautiful island rather than another year and four months so in the meantime I plan to enjoy every last moment.