Lishai
Lishai Peel Joined: June 5th 2009
Logged in: January 6th 2011
Logged in: January 6th 2011
Travel Blog Posts
Community Mapping Meeting
Time is winding down and I’m already realizing all that I’m going to miss. I’m also realizing how much I have adapted to island life and Caribbean culture. The first time I consciously noticed change was when I was walking to work with Eli and I thought to myself that he was walking faster than usual, but then I realized that my walking pace had, in fact, slowed down. I haven’t worn a watch in almost three months now, it’s such a relief to slow down and not feel the constant pressure of time. Some adaptations happened naturally, others I found more difficult to internalize. Greeting people, for example, is one thing I adapted to right away. Everyone greets each other here with the customary “Good Morning/Afternoon/Night.” This greeting applies across the board, whether you are ... read more
At first I found Kittitian accents difficult to understand. There was quite a few awkward communication break downs. Now, I more or less feel at ease with strong Kittitian accents and have even changed the way I talk to relate to the kids in the neighbourhood... Where she be Where is she? How many years you have? How old are you? For True? For real? Come, let we go Let’s go You vexing me, boy! You’re pissing me off! Don’t study him Don’t pay attention to him You check? You understand? (or, as Rastafarians say: “overstand”) Jiggy Cool It tastes bang It tastes awesome Aint’ it so? Isn’t it true? Whenever Lamonkey thinks I’m saying something that “aint’” true, he’ll holler “Boo!” which means…well I guess ... read more
CIMG2202
When a new adventure is before me, I dive in head first. I’ve been swimming in an ocean of new smells, sights and people. Every time I want to surface for breath, I’m distracted and swim deeper still. Now I’ve emerged from the water for a quick breather and I suddenly realize that half my time here is already up. Here are a few images, stories and insights that colour my Caribbean experience so far... Some time ago, I was looking for the boys that hang out on my street. I walked into the narrow alleyway that is lined with shack-like houses to find a group of them putting on a brave attempt to play basketball. These kids are so resourceful; they were playing basketball with a mostly-deflated ball, with one of the littlest kids, Jaquan, ... read more
Office Goat
There is an 11 year old boy in our neighbourhood who doesn’t really have a home. I have come to learn that his mother just got out of jail and he stays by a friend or by his uncle's house. He has no shoes, always wears the same shorts and t-shirt, never really speaks, nor smiles. He seems so vacant... hard to explain. Early last week at 12am, I heard a knock on my door. The kid was standing there without explanation. After standing with him outside for half an hour, I ascertained that he was locked out of his friend’s house, didn’t really have anywhere else to go and was not going to school for some reason unbeknown to me. My friend, Miss. J., who was an intern in Barbados last year, told me that ... read more
Kaleisha and Johanna
The last week has been quite intense. They say that when you go to a new place, at first you are on a high - bedazzled and amazed by everything you see. Then the low creeps up - homesickness, culture shock, fatigue. Well, last week culture shock kicked in hard. Over the last 7 days, I’ve been confronted with issues of class, race and gender and trying to navigate my way though the nuances of cultural norms and expectations within a Caribbean context. First of all, you all should know that I’m living in a pretty rough area. Eli and I stand out by a mile, not just because we are clearly not from here, but because we live in comparatively nice apartments and we are seen wearing conservative-office clothing coming to and from work. There's ... read more
The events that took place on Friday night took me a few days to reflect on before writing about them. It all started when DeSuza, our supervisor, walked into our office and promptly announced, “We be limin’ tonight, pick you up at 8.30.” Context: for the last few days the PetroCaribe Summit has been taking place here in Basseterre. This is the 6th summit for the heads of state/government members to get together and cover agenda items such as infrastructure projects related to hydrocarbons supply, exchange and endogenous development projects, execution of the offset system of the oil bill, the potential for renewable energy, to name a few. Put simply, there is an oil agreement between Venezuela and St.Kitts (and 16 or so other countries) whereby oil from Venezuela is purchased under preferential and fair payment ... read more
View from my apartment
I exit the small craft to a blast of humid Caribbean air. It’s like entering a sauna. I head towards customs feeling light headed. Point of observation: customs are actually friendly here! I get picked up by DeSuza and Eli. Eli is the other intern and one cool cat. DeSuza is the project manager for the Basic Needs Trust Fund. He’s awesome, seems to know everyone. “This is the real Caribbean” he says as we’re driving through town. My apartment is in the heart of Basseterre, overlooking the ocean. What strikes me most are the sounds of this place. Children playing in the street, reggae music constantly spinning, mixed with the sounds of noisy roosters. Later at night DeSuza takes us out for a few drinks and more introductions ensue. I learn fast that thick Caribbean ... read more
