As I sit down in my seat all the way in back of the plane. I am worried. Not because a Jamaican American Airlines plane crashed the day before but because the Jamaican flight attendant that I met a few hours ago when my first flight was cancelled told the passengers that if the plane's doors where not closed in 15 minutes at 12:15AM this flight will be canceled and we would be stuck all night in the Dallas airport.
10 minutes pass, passengers are still boarding.... 14 minutes pass. The plane looks full..... 15 minutes pass...... 16 ….. 17 ...18....19 The pilot comes on the intercom and tells us that we will be heading to Austin! As the passengers clap the flight attendants march off the plane. Soon after the pilot announces the flight is canceled and we will be sleeping in the airport. Truthfully, I am not that disappointed, I'm happy. It's hard to explain why, I just am happy to be back in America, happy to be on this crazy adventure. We don't fly to Austin....we end up in Houston...and then off to Dallas. But, I am in America.
Christmas Miracle-
I am dressed for Jamaica not the frigged Dallas airport so when the airport turns off their heat the temperature plunges and I start to freeze. It's so cold that even with 2 long and short sleeve shirts on I still can't sleep. While walking around one of the world's largest airports I come across a odd group of people. Jamaican airport employee, gay male hairdresser, salvage diver, 30 year old blond girl and her mother, funny Mexican guy, large black guy, hysterical older women, cute young hairdresser and a businessman- all drunk and extremely loud.
I try to walk by without catching their attention but the group calls me over and asks me where I am from. Before I can finish telling them I am in the Peace Corps they have pushed a drink and my hand and have gotten me to sit down.
After about an hour of drinking (5 hours for the rest of them) the black guy tells the Mexican guy that originally he thought he recognized him because “all Mexican guys look the same”. The Mexican just smiled and said well, what's the name of your parole officer because all black guys have one. The black guy (I wish I knew their names) took offense to this and tensions was high.
An hour and few glasses later every one including both men thought this confrontation was very funny and they where laughing about it.
Another hour later, two of the group wondered off together and the hysterical women became even more hysterical and the rescue driver emotionally revealed that he knew he was meant to die underwater.
At around 5 am the Jamaican who worked for the airport and had not been drinking asked me what about which flight to Austin the rescheduled me on. I told him that I didn't even get standby for any of the first three flights of the day. The Jamaican just brought me over to a computer punched a few keys and handed me a ticket on the first flight to Austin. I couldn't believe it. It was Christmas, I was going home, and I was thrilled.
Just as fast as the night had started for me it ended. The emotional salvage driver was confronted by a cop on a Segway. The cop wanted to know who was taking care of this intoxicated man. The cop was surprised to see such an odd group of people claim responsibility. Different races, sexual orientations, ages, and nationalities, all came together that Christmas to share each others company for one of the best Christmases ever. But even the best Christmas and lots of new friends can't save a drunk salvage driver who wants to take off his pants and ride tandem with a cop on a segway...
Christmas
I'm back in Austin. Back with my family and Morgan my dog. What an adventure to get here. Good to be with family and friends.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Dec. 22nd
A soft pattering of rain wakes me from my sleep. I don't open my eyes, instead I lay here and smile. Early morning showers mean extra sleep, a break from the heat and mosquitoes and if the showers persist long enough, a relaxing day of reading.
Only after a few missed calls from friends, I finally roll out of bed. I walk to my door where I unlatch, unlock, and unbolt the 6 locks and grill that leads to the back yard and there I am greeted my a pleasant surprise. It's cold!
After cooking up a large meal I find 4 small piglets in my back yard.
Only after a few missed calls from friends, I finally roll out of bed. I walk to my door where I unlatch, unlock, and unbolt the 6 locks and grill that leads to the back yard and there I am greeted my a pleasant surprise. It's cold!
After cooking up a large meal I find 4 small piglets in my back yard.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Dec 17th
6AM The sounds of my host father getting ready for another day of hard work and the sun blazing through my window tore me from my deep sleep. Dreams of a distant past are whisked away and the reality of Jamaica comes flooding back like a cold Jamaican bucket bath.
As I lay in bed an unexpected tapping on my door startles me from my half conscience state. My host dad pauses for a response and begins to gently tap again. I consider telling him I'm sick... I take a deep breath close my eyes and hop out of bed. In the cheeriest tone I can muster- probably resembles a disgruntled Wal-Mart employee- I ask, “how I can help you Mr. Scotty?”... You need my tuning fork for your bicycle? Well, I don't know where that is but give me a second and I'll find it.
30 minutes and a room that I have torn apart later- I admit defeat. I consider trying to fall back to sleep but it's the first day of winter break and I made a promise to 18 people. A promise I wasn't going to break.
As the morning progresses I go though my typical rut- hanging the laundry I had soaked from the night before, trying to scrounge up some semi-clean cloths to wear, skipping breakfast, walking an hour to catch a taxi, “smalling up” so the driver can fix 6-8 passengers in a 4 passenger taxi, eating delicious, unhealthy, fried chicken from a road side shop and chit chatting all along the way.
11AM- Sun is up, sun is out, and I am soaked in sweat. I think to myself, “snowing at home? Couldn't be true.”
When I reach a sport/internet bar just off of the tourist “hip strip”. I plan my attack, painstakingly calculating and cross referencing each aspect. I can't make a mistake or I will be slaughtered. It's no game, these Football playoffs. Yes, I manage a football team, no not little league. It's fantasy football. But these are not the 18 I must keep a promise too.
As soon as I arrived in Montego Bay a pit in my stomach had begun to form but I take my second deep breath and I make my way to the 17 patients living at the AIDS Hospice and the staff of dedicated Jamaican's and a little nuns from the Philippines.
As I walk in the door I'm greeted by a room of warm smiles. I immediately remember why I promised the 17 residents and promised myself I would return. I talk geography with one patient, the most beautiful Churches and towns with another and discus who is the most beautiful girl who is currently on the television with the rest. The two residents began to bicker, “Oh, dat gayl is fine.” “No sir! She speaks with a southern accent!” And this lands me into a discussion on whether local schools should teach theJamaica's dialect of English in schools and if it should be considered it's own language. The conversation is comical and relaxed.
A nurse walks into the room and tells me that she is disappointed; I didn't learn anything the first day I visited. I disagree, I taught myself how to turn on the TV. I don't think she gets my humor. The rest of the day I am completely humbled, touched, heartbroken and thankful as I follow her bed to bed on her evening rounds. As I find myself next to a new resident with different complications, different amounts of pain, different lives, families and personalities; a knot of emotions begins to grow and a mantra is repeated over and over within my heart- Mother Teresa pray for us.
I promise I will soon be back.
As I lay in bed an unexpected tapping on my door startles me from my half conscience state. My host dad pauses for a response and begins to gently tap again. I consider telling him I'm sick... I take a deep breath close my eyes and hop out of bed. In the cheeriest tone I can muster- probably resembles a disgruntled Wal-Mart employee- I ask, “how I can help you Mr. Scotty?”... You need my tuning fork for your bicycle? Well, I don't know where that is but give me a second and I'll find it.
30 minutes and a room that I have torn apart later- I admit defeat. I consider trying to fall back to sleep but it's the first day of winter break and I made a promise to 18 people. A promise I wasn't going to break.
As the morning progresses I go though my typical rut- hanging the laundry I had soaked from the night before, trying to scrounge up some semi-clean cloths to wear, skipping breakfast, walking an hour to catch a taxi, “smalling up” so the driver can fix 6-8 passengers in a 4 passenger taxi, eating delicious, unhealthy, fried chicken from a road side shop and chit chatting all along the way.
11AM- Sun is up, sun is out, and I am soaked in sweat. I think to myself, “snowing at home? Couldn't be true.”
When I reach a sport/internet bar just off of the tourist “hip strip”. I plan my attack, painstakingly calculating and cross referencing each aspect. I can't make a mistake or I will be slaughtered. It's no game, these Football playoffs. Yes, I manage a football team, no not little league. It's fantasy football. But these are not the 18 I must keep a promise too.
As soon as I arrived in Montego Bay a pit in my stomach had begun to form but I take my second deep breath and I make my way to the 17 patients living at the AIDS Hospice and the staff of dedicated Jamaican's and a little nuns from the Philippines.
As I walk in the door I'm greeted by a room of warm smiles. I immediately remember why I promised the 17 residents and promised myself I would return. I talk geography with one patient, the most beautiful Churches and towns with another and discus who is the most beautiful girl who is currently on the television with the rest. The two residents began to bicker, “Oh, dat gayl is fine.” “No sir! She speaks with a southern accent!” And this lands me into a discussion on whether local schools should teach theJamaica's dialect of English in schools and if it should be considered it's own language. The conversation is comical and relaxed.
A nurse walks into the room and tells me that she is disappointed; I didn't learn anything the first day I visited. I disagree, I taught myself how to turn on the TV. I don't think she gets my humor. The rest of the day I am completely humbled, touched, heartbroken and thankful as I follow her bed to bed on her evening rounds. As I find myself next to a new resident with different complications, different amounts of pain, different lives, families and personalities; a knot of emotions begins to grow and a mantra is repeated over and over within my heart- Mother Teresa pray for us.
I promise I will soon be back.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Two for one
Take it a day at a time
Host dad- “Now Gavin, don't forget to turn the water off before the drum in the kitchen overflows”.
Me- “Sure thing!”
An hour later, I walk into the kitchen to find an inch of water covering the floor. I hurry back to my room and rip my sheets off my bed, gather all my towels and spend the next hour draining the kitchen.
While doing my hour walk home from Machmount Road I think to myself. I am practically a local. No one would mess with me out here in the bush. While distracted by my thoughts a car pulls over and a young man jumps out, and says, you want a ride? When I jump in the middle seat between two guys and realize I don't know any of the 4 young men in the car. I think to myself, I'm dead....Dodged another bullet.
Crime Update-
I can't express how much this saddens me-
While walking home from Mass I ran into two guys. One of the guys informed me that the previous night a 80+ year old that lives in my community and that I really enjoy visiting was raped. Please say a prayer for her and her family.
My first day at the Hope AIDS Hospice was terrific. When I arrived I almost turned back when no one was at the front desk to greet me but I reluctantly went right on in. First thing I noticed was the beautiful music; an American priest was leading the residents in prayer with his guitar . Then I was saddened to see how many patients where without their legs. Later I was told AIDS increases complications associated with diabetes. Overall, the experience was terrific- the patients seemed to enjoy my company, and I had a great time chatting with the residents and occasionally helping the nuns out with small chores.
A giant gecko visits me at 10 or 11pm each night for 30 minutes. He runs along the top of my wall and eats all the bugs that hangout above my window. Today when I was running late for school I noticed the lizard stuck in my mouse glue trap! This lizard is one of the few stabilizers I have and I can't afford to lose him. Fortunately, last week I stepped on one of my glue traps, barefooted. I had to check the box to make sure they were not toxic and while checking I read that the glue can be removed with oil from peanut butter. I spent the next hour applying cooking oil and trying to gently pry the lizard off with a pen.
For Jame's (PCV) birthday a few of us went to Dr's Cove Beach in Montego Bay. In the past I have described how beautiful this beach is but I was shocked to discover there is a decent coral reef just a hundred yards off the beach. I saw a few colorful fish, a spotted eel, sting ray, and even bumped my face into a huge brain coral while trying to pose for a picture. Because of the large amount pollution that runs into MoBay I was surprised to see so much life right off the coast. Amazing. This makes me believe that the boats that go off on snorkeling and scuba adventures might actually be a lot of fun.
Host dad- “Now Gavin, don't forget to turn the water off before the drum in the kitchen overflows”.
Me- “Sure thing!”
An hour later, I walk into the kitchen to find an inch of water covering the floor. I hurry back to my room and rip my sheets off my bed, gather all my towels and spend the next hour draining the kitchen.
While doing my hour walk home from Machmount Road I think to myself. I am practically a local. No one would mess with me out here in the bush. While distracted by my thoughts a car pulls over and a young man jumps out, and says, you want a ride? When I jump in the middle seat between two guys and realize I don't know any of the 4 young men in the car. I think to myself, I'm dead....Dodged another bullet.
Crime Update-
I can't express how much this saddens me-
While walking home from Mass I ran into two guys. One of the guys informed me that the previous night a 80+ year old that lives in my community and that I really enjoy visiting was raped. Please say a prayer for her and her family.
My first day at the Hope AIDS Hospice was terrific. When I arrived I almost turned back when no one was at the front desk to greet me but I reluctantly went right on in. First thing I noticed was the beautiful music; an American priest was leading the residents in prayer with his guitar . Then I was saddened to see how many patients where without their legs. Later I was told AIDS increases complications associated with diabetes. Overall, the experience was terrific- the patients seemed to enjoy my company, and I had a great time chatting with the residents and occasionally helping the nuns out with small chores.
A giant gecko visits me at 10 or 11pm each night for 30 minutes. He runs along the top of my wall and eats all the bugs that hangout above my window. Today when I was running late for school I noticed the lizard stuck in my mouse glue trap! This lizard is one of the few stabilizers I have and I can't afford to lose him. Fortunately, last week I stepped on one of my glue traps, barefooted. I had to check the box to make sure they were not toxic and while checking I read that the glue can be removed with oil from peanut butter. I spent the next hour applying cooking oil and trying to gently pry the lizard off with a pen.
For Jame's (PCV) birthday a few of us went to Dr's Cove Beach in Montego Bay. In the past I have described how beautiful this beach is but I was shocked to discover there is a decent coral reef just a hundred yards off the beach. I saw a few colorful fish, a spotted eel, sting ray, and even bumped my face into a huge brain coral while trying to pose for a picture. Because of the large amount pollution that runs into MoBay I was surprised to see so much life right off the coast. Amazing. This makes me believe that the boats that go off on snorkeling and scuba adventures might actually be a lot of fun.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Packing list at the bottom
When my mom visited me last week we skipped the tourist stops and went straight to my community. We ventured to my site on public transportation, squeezing into a mini bus with 15 seats that probably had 25 kids already smushed in there. When we arrived at my site we were immediately greeted by a woman who enthusiastically informed my mother that she came during a great time because that night there was going to be a funeral party for a man that killed himself.... My mom did not share in the enthusiasm.
We spent the majority of mom's trip in my community where she had to bucket bathe, hand wash cloths and walk in the relentless Caribbean heat. Though it was a difficult and trying experience, mom seemed to love every second of it. The children as well as the adults loved meeting her. We were able to give a tooth brushing demonstration to the school and complete a housing application for a needy family. She left an impression on my community and I am sure my community did the same.
Highlights of the trip included introducing my mom to 5 of my friends at a bar in Kingston, seeing a family selling what looked like an endangered bird, watching the sunset and sunrise, being robbed of my groceries, cooking a Jamaican meal for my mom (she wasn't hungry), listening to vulgar Jamaican music in the taxi, visiting the clothing bazaar in Montego Bay, being sucked into local disputes, enjoying walks to school with the kids, and watching the kids play cricket in the square at night.
I loved spending time with my mom and have really appreciated everyone who has visited me. Remember everyone is welcome to visit.
This morning I realized I misplaced my wallet. The last place I remembered it was in my camera bag which I had earlier caught a kid at school rummaging though. I pulled the kid out of class and asked him if he had forgotten to return it, but he claimed he never saw it. I was almost certain he took it as a joke and forgot to return it, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt. And thank God I did. The wallet turned out to be right where I left it in the camera bag. It was so remarkably similar in color to my camera bag, it virtually disappeared when I placed it inside.
----
Peace Corps- aka international house arrest.
Walking back from visiting a friend's home
Stranger- “You know there are crazy people on the street today.”
Me- “You mean more than normal?”
Stranger- “No”
Me- When is Thanksgiving today?
James- Yesterday
Me- I mean, when is thanksgiving dinner today?
James- Tomorrow
Thought of the Day-
Just because someone is a bumbaclot and has lived in Jamaica for over 6 months doesn't make them a Jamaican.
Packing list for future PVC's Peace Corps Volunteers:
First, general advice:
Electronics in Jamaica are heavily taxed and are out of date. A great deal of the clothing looks like it came from an American store's sales racks and is overpriced.
-External hard drive, must have.
-Laptop. Mine broke after a few months so I got a netbook and it works great. Light and has a long battery life. I have a small radio I use instead of my netbook's crapy speakers. All you need is a cheap audio cord to connect the two devices.
-Digital Camera
-Business casual clothing, think... “what would I want to wear if I had to go to church in a sauna?”
-BEST ADVICE- Guys lose weight and girls gain. I wish I had bought smaller jeans.
Peace Corps provides bug repellent but sometimes it's a cream and I can't stand that stuff.
-Heather group 80 says phonics flash cards from Target.
-A few good books (if you have room)
-Anything to kill time, guitar, Ipod, gameboy ...
-Contacts if you like, no reason not to bring them
-I wouldn't recommend snorkel gear, takes up too much room and nothing worth seeing
-International phone credit is CHEAP, 1000 minutes for 15 USD so make sure you bring phone numbers
-Heather group 80 - Quick dry towels (look for Peace Corps discounts)
-I love my Keens (sandals) because they dry so quickly and they offer PVC's 45% off. They do look funny. I read somewhere that I shouldn't bring my sandals to Jamaica; that was horrible advice. Bring a pair for weekends or for just stepping outside. Not for work.
-Bill Nye the Science Guy, Magic School Bus, Walker Texas Ranger, How to Texas Two Step, and Bay Watch DVD's (better if you can turn everything into digital format so that you can share it with other PCV's)
-Tin group 80- Satchel book bag, not backpack.
-Gifts for host family (not necessary) A mug from your home state (Don't mess with Texas), calendar, my mom brought my host dad rechargeable batteries and that was a huge hit.
-Waterproof pillowcase. Man up and don't bring your pillow from home. Buy one here. They are uncomfortable but buying one here will save space.
-Tin group 80- Buy a beard/hair trimmer here. The electrical current is slightly different and this reduces the effectiveness of American devices.
-Multi-tools are cool but I think they are not worth the big price tag
-Flashlight, some volunteers recommend a crank powered flash light but again I think this is a waste of money. Save the money of a crank flashlight and buy a cheap one with lots of batteries and still have money left over for a Red Stripe or 3.
-Pictures of family
-Peace Corps allowed my group to pick out our own cell phones and if they allow you to do this GET THE PHONE WITH THE FLASH LIGHT!!!!!!! I wish I had that thing on many occasions. You get cell phones the first week or even the first day you are here. If your American cell phone can have a sim card placed in it, bring it.
-If you have a type of skill, bring whatever you will need to utilize it. I brought a small set of bicycle tools and a PVC pipe cutter and they have come in handy.
-Flash Drive(s). I have some really small ones that I use for word documents.
-Water bottle (I don't have one but wish I did)
-Hat and sunglasses but you can buy those here
-Head-lamps and lights for reading are recommended but I HATE them for reading. When the rest of the lights on your room are off they attract bugs.
-Things like an iron you will buy here
-Most importantly bring a good sense of humor and flexibility.
-Don't spent money on crazy stuff like insect repellent, earmuffs or a hiking backpack, or anything you see in Sky Mall- that stuff is not needed and will make you look out of place more than you already do.
We spent the majority of mom's trip in my community where she had to bucket bathe, hand wash cloths and walk in the relentless Caribbean heat. Though it was a difficult and trying experience, mom seemed to love every second of it. The children as well as the adults loved meeting her. We were able to give a tooth brushing demonstration to the school and complete a housing application for a needy family. She left an impression on my community and I am sure my community did the same.
Highlights of the trip included introducing my mom to 5 of my friends at a bar in Kingston, seeing a family selling what looked like an endangered bird, watching the sunset and sunrise, being robbed of my groceries, cooking a Jamaican meal for my mom (she wasn't hungry), listening to vulgar Jamaican music in the taxi, visiting the clothing bazaar in Montego Bay, being sucked into local disputes, enjoying walks to school with the kids, and watching the kids play cricket in the square at night.
I loved spending time with my mom and have really appreciated everyone who has visited me. Remember everyone is welcome to visit.
This morning I realized I misplaced my wallet. The last place I remembered it was in my camera bag which I had earlier caught a kid at school rummaging though. I pulled the kid out of class and asked him if he had forgotten to return it, but he claimed he never saw it. I was almost certain he took it as a joke and forgot to return it, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt. And thank God I did. The wallet turned out to be right where I left it in the camera bag. It was so remarkably similar in color to my camera bag, it virtually disappeared when I placed it inside.
----
Peace Corps- aka international house arrest.
Walking back from visiting a friend's home
Stranger- “You know there are crazy people on the street today.”
Me- “You mean more than normal?”
Stranger- “No”
Me- When is Thanksgiving today?
James- Yesterday
Me- I mean, when is thanksgiving dinner today?
James- Tomorrow
Thought of the Day-
Just because someone is a bumbaclot and has lived in Jamaica for over 6 months doesn't make them a Jamaican.
Packing list for future PVC's Peace Corps Volunteers:
First, general advice:
Electronics in Jamaica are heavily taxed and are out of date. A great deal of the clothing looks like it came from an American store's sales racks and is overpriced.
-External hard drive, must have.
-Laptop. Mine broke after a few months so I got a netbook and it works great. Light and has a long battery life. I have a small radio I use instead of my netbook's crapy speakers. All you need is a cheap audio cord to connect the two devices.
-Digital Camera
-Business casual clothing, think... “what would I want to wear if I had to go to church in a sauna?”
-BEST ADVICE- Guys lose weight and girls gain. I wish I had bought smaller jeans.
Peace Corps provides bug repellent but sometimes it's a cream and I can't stand that stuff.
-Heather group 80 says phonics flash cards from Target.
-A few good books (if you have room)
-Anything to kill time, guitar, Ipod, gameboy ...
-Contacts if you like, no reason not to bring them
-I wouldn't recommend snorkel gear, takes up too much room and nothing worth seeing
-International phone credit is CHEAP, 1000 minutes for 15 USD so make sure you bring phone numbers
-Heather group 80 - Quick dry towels (look for Peace Corps discounts)
-I love my Keens (sandals) because they dry so quickly and they offer PVC's 45% off. They do look funny. I read somewhere that I shouldn't bring my sandals to Jamaica; that was horrible advice. Bring a pair for weekends or for just stepping outside. Not for work.
-Bill Nye the Science Guy, Magic School Bus, Walker Texas Ranger, How to Texas Two Step, and Bay Watch DVD's (better if you can turn everything into digital format so that you can share it with other PCV's)
-Tin group 80- Satchel book bag, not backpack.
-Gifts for host family (not necessary) A mug from your home state (Don't mess with Texas), calendar, my mom brought my host dad rechargeable batteries and that was a huge hit.
-Waterproof pillowcase. Man up and don't bring your pillow from home. Buy one here. They are uncomfortable but buying one here will save space.
-Tin group 80- Buy a beard/hair trimmer here. The electrical current is slightly different and this reduces the effectiveness of American devices.
-Multi-tools are cool but I think they are not worth the big price tag
-Flashlight, some volunteers recommend a crank powered flash light but again I think this is a waste of money. Save the money of a crank flashlight and buy a cheap one with lots of batteries and still have money left over for a Red Stripe or 3.
-Pictures of family
-Peace Corps allowed my group to pick out our own cell phones and if they allow you to do this GET THE PHONE WITH THE FLASH LIGHT!!!!!!! I wish I had that thing on many occasions. You get cell phones the first week or even the first day you are here. If your American cell phone can have a sim card placed in it, bring it.
-If you have a type of skill, bring whatever you will need to utilize it. I brought a small set of bicycle tools and a PVC pipe cutter and they have come in handy.
-Flash Drive(s). I have some really small ones that I use for word documents.
-Water bottle (I don't have one but wish I did)
-Hat and sunglasses but you can buy those here
-Head-lamps and lights for reading are recommended but I HATE them for reading. When the rest of the lights on your room are off they attract bugs.
-Things like an iron you will buy here
-Most importantly bring a good sense of humor and flexibility.
-Don't spent money on crazy stuff like insect repellent, earmuffs or a hiking backpack, or anything you see in Sky Mall- that stuff is not needed and will make you look out of place more than you already do.
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