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 [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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Mo in St. Kitts - St. Kitts Marriot was very nice. SCUBA Diving was great. The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis (also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis), located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign nation in the Americas, in both area and population. The capital city and headquarters of government for the federated state is Basseterre on the larger island of Saint Kitts. The smaller state of Nevis lies about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Saint Kitts, across a shallow channel called "The [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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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 the ghetto. Eli and I stand out [View Full Entry]

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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 syst [View Full Entry]

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York International has asked this year’s interns to complete some assignments while we are dispersed all over the world and our first assignment was to answer the question “what is my culture?” I’ve been sitting on it for quite some time and I guess part of the reason why I’ve been avoiding it is because I recognize that I’m so much a product of my culture and I can’t escape or deny it. I’m a westerner. And with those three words comes so many connotations. Words such as colonizer, imperialist, slavery, white man and modernizer come to mind, ju [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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Hey all- So I went to St. Kitts like a month ago, and I'm just getting around to posting the pics... Anyway, hope you all enjoy. The trip was awesome. Lots of cool sites, great weather, and interesting people. For all those interested in the basic facts: St. Kitts is part of the West Indies. Kitts is short for Christopher as in founder, Christopher Columbus. Rum is the drink of choice. Carib is the local beer. The night-time hot spots are all located on"The Strip", a single dirt road lined with about 10 thatched shacks with full bars including, Shiggity Shack, [View Full Entry]

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