Turning 30 Dominica Style

Before I say anything, I apologize for those of you who are anxiously waiting for updates from Cocoa.  She is not as great at writing as she probably should be and after the pictures get uploaded onto facebook I always assume that they have been 'seen'.  I was alterted, however, recently that they are NOT always seen by all...so I will make a more conscious effort to put the pictures here as well.  That way, if Cocoa doesn't have much to say about what a crazy place this is, you can at least see it.  Plus, hopefully Mike'll share a few phenomenal pictures that can be construed as to how beautiful this place is and maybe we'll get some visitors!

An attempt at a needed update:  grill is set-up and working (although the charcoal here is very different then that in the states and has plagued both Mike and I in terms of figuring out all of the secrets to keeping it lit), I'm trying to take in all the beautiful nature i can, Mike has arrived on the island and brought with him all of the charm and love that i know him for, and its creole season around here (complete with creole night in Portsmouth, creole in the park all week in Roseau, and the world creole music festival this weekend in Roseau...we participated in the events in Portsmouth and partied with the best of them!).  Let the pictures tell the story:

Last week was the big 30, and although I do not feel a day over about 14, I was told that this means that I actually am officially an adult.  We celebrated with a few drinks by sunset at Purple Turtle Beach, and a creole-style boil with friends (although apparently you cannot catch crawfish when there's a full moon...so store-bought shrimp had to substitute).  It was a GREAT excuse to get some great new friends together and spend an evening drinking ginger wine (like gingerale having a party), attempting to make Dominican versions of 'black and tan', and staying out of the ever-present soothing rain.  It was a fun party!

More excitement will be coming, and I WILL make an attempt to post pictures (and mildly funny antidotes) here more often!

Jazz in the Jungle

Dominica is filled with adventure after adventure...whether it be biking to campus for a day of work, or searching the local stores or marketers for whatever food item looks the most delicious and/or will make up the rest of a recipe, but today's adventure was filled with a constant flow of rain, delicious food, great music, and an AWESOME surrounding of friends (both new and old) and atmosphere!!! It was DELIGHTFUL.  I know that the description will not do it justice, but I will try.  Basically, today we drove to the airport (about an hour) and kept going for another 20 minutes into the bush...we then came across two beautiful rivers and where they connected sat a delightful venue emitting relaxation, culture, and joy.  Here we sat for a great brunch while listening to the rushing rivers, the pooring rain, and the fantastic jazz.  All-in-all, River Rush and Jazz in the Jungle was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon and one that will be repeated again and again (at least until someone closer to Savanne Paille figures out how to market as wonderful of a Sunday brunch ;)).