Roller Coaster

Back by popular demand- crazy posts

Quotes of the week-
“God gave us women and he said he made them for the use of man, so Gavin have to use them.”

Me- “Man, that was a weird looking towel next to that dead man, right?”
10 year old- “That was his brain.”

“Who runs America?…. Who has the drugs, prostitutes, casinos?”
Me- “Las Vegas??”
“Yes! LAS VEGAS runs America!”

Me- “I should be the one who is upset! You have a BOYFRIEND!! Consolation prize, call Curt and tell him that you are in love with me. No one is going to believe me.”

First of all I have to disclose that my blog, particularly this post must remain vague to respect the privacy of others (this is in reference to the shooting and medical visit). AND, I love Jamaica, and Jamaican’s. Every culture has qualities that another culture might find quirky, interesting and sometimes funny. I am trying to remain respectful and in no way do I mean to be condescending. I have never lived with greater people than those in my household and community. I love you guys!

Thursday night, the night before I was sworn in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer, a few locals, other Peace Corps Trainees and I started our own little dance party. The dancing styles where crazy different- Chris and I are Austinites so we dance like nerds and the locals “wine”. According to the locals, wineing is not like grinding but I can’t tell the difference. I must have not been blessed with the ability to wine but that didn’t discourage my frequent and awkward attempts. Ha… Curt, one of the volunteers tried to dance with a stranger who turned out to be Bounty Killer’s girlfriend- a local Dancehall DJ who didn’t get his nickname for being nice. All in all is was a terrific night. My first night out in Jamaica was a blast!

Swearing in went well. Nothing really to report. Good times. I am officially a Peace Corps Volunteer! Respect the title, Volunteer!

On Saturday I went to Sav to visit the market and price bicycles. While I was there I called my country director and asked her to reconsider the house move the Peace Corps had in store for me. The PC director said she would reconsider and let me know Monday after she had discussed the situation with other Peace Corps personnel. My country director is the best; she cares about each of us even though sometimes we all need our hands to be held like children. Maybe not us all, but I am one of those.

That night I decided to go to bed at 7:30PM! The night before I stayed up till 2:30 AM watching movies on my computer. Clearly, my sleep cycle is out of wack. Anyway, as I was drifting off to sleep I decided to textmessage the Jamaican girl I had been crushing on. She called me back and she basically told me that she is in love with me. Problem: she lives in Kingston. 5 hours away. Jamaica is too big! I really thought we might be able to work something out. She told me she was in love with me by telling me she thought I was cute but we both know what she meant.

The next day I found out she has a BOYFRIEND!!!! Barf. Heartbreaker! Maybe I overestimated her feelings. Blah!

But the day continued to get worse. Around 2 PM I was told by my house dad that a local merchant was robbed and murdered just 2 miles down the road from where I live and tops a 1/4 of a mile from where I work. While visibly upset my host dad said the man was a good, honest man and a hard worker.

I had a meeting to attend at the school at 4PM so I got there right on time and of course I was the first person there. So when one of the first members of the group arrived they invited me to walk just down the road to the crime scene. I didn’t think it was a good idea but I went along. When we arrived I told the group members who walked with me that I didn’t want to see the body of the man who had been slain and that I would rather stand a ways back. But the group coerced me to the scene. I was told I didn’t have to look at the body but after standing there for a few minutes my curiosity got the best of me… He was shirtless, stiff and shot multiple times- once in the face.

It was surreal standing in the setting sun with about 75 Jamaicans as I watched the man be taken away and listened to his wife further down the road bawling out in hysterics. I still have her cries replaying in my head. I felt very out of place there. Within the crowed there were many young kids who knew me from school. I didn’t realize how large my community was.

I am bothered some by the severity of the crime and am now concerned for my own safety but mostly I feel saddened for the family that lost their husband, father and son, especially the woman.

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Monday 18th-
Couldn’t sleep last night, well it feels like I couldn’t sleep. I must have fallen asleep around 8 or 9 and my host dad didn’t play music in the morning so I slept in till 7am but I still feel tired today. I feel like I have mono (impossible). Maybe it’s the humidity that drains my energy.

Today I took the advice from the Security Officer and called up the Medical Officer and expressed my anxiety about the murder. They want to drive me in to Kingston so I can talk about it. I don’t think I am really upset about it but my head feels all jumbled up. I probably will go in. It can’t hurt but I do feel like a baby.

On a completely different note. Good news! I got my new glasses in! For all of the haters out there I want you to know the Jamaicans hate my normal looking glasses and want me to continue to wear the crazy ones.

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Dear Barack Obama:

Please send me Nova, Magic School Bus and Baywatch DVDs. Any other educational DVDs would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Gavin – Peace Corps Volunteer, Jamaica

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Tonight I spent the evening speaking with a family in my community about a family member who is very sick and the family knows they can not pay for her medical bills. I was able to contact the medical provider that estimated the cost of treatment and found out that a second medical visit must be made and only at that time financial assistance can by addressed. I certainly have not fixed the situation but feel I have at least got them moving in the right direction. Tomorrow morning I am going back to the house to help schedule the appointment. So no one freaks out I did not give any medical advice. I just helped them understand the medical jargon and assisted them in speaking to the hospital.

And last but not least- Shout out to Bob! Thanks for being my wingman.



“Girl from England who I meet on the phone wants to come to Jamaica.”
“A girl from the phone!?”
“Yeah, she dialed my number and talked to me as if she where my girlfriend! But Gavin she is very rude! Haha
“Not a good idea. Not a good idea at all.”
“Don’t worry Gavin I told her about you too”
“WHAT?!”
“Yeah, I told her about you. She told me some things and I just laughed. She might visit you soon.”