Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
This past week has solidified to myself just how much I have grown in just 6 short months. I got the opportunity to share my new life with my mom and aunt this week, and I think they will say it was an experience worth sharing with people back in the States. Check out my aunts blog (http://afastone.blogspot.com/) to see how she viewed her experiences on the isle of spice.
Sadly, I didn't get to take off work to spend all of my time with them, but they assured me that hanging around my apartment, reading books and playing on the internet was just as much a vacation as was running around the island. My moms particular mode of passing time was sitting on my veranda and people (and goat) watching. She was often quoted as saying the children were beautiful, the mountains were amazing and that goat sounds like a baby crying.
After a day of shopping in town, seeing the fort and experiences "town life", I decided to introduce them to my favorite Grenadian lunch, Roti's. They were hesitant at first, but after some reassurance we ordered three veggie roti's and sat down with another volunteer. They ended up loving the roti's and trying some pepper sauce that burnt their taste buds. oops, forgot to tell them West Indians love their heat.
Wednesday, after 4 days at my apartment, we descended down the mountains to a resort on the beach. If you ever plan on coming to Grenada (which I suggest), I would highly recommend the Grenada Grand Beach Resort. They had three beautiful pools and AIR CONDITIONED ROOMS!!!! I wasn't sure to make of this at first, but it was a pleasant mini vacation that I'm very thankful I got to share with my family. I often times get so wrapped up in work and the redundancy of life here that I forget to take a moment for myself and enjoy.
Thursday I got some free time and decided to take them to Belmont Estate and River Antoine Rum Distillery. I thought it would be easier to take a cab then the 3 bus rides, to which my family agreed, but I later learned it wasn't.
Disclaimer: Grenadians drive fast, VERY FAST. Life may move at the pace of a turtle, but cars do not! Anyways, we got the pleasure of having the most terrible taxi driver on island, who drove no more than 20 miles an hour the ENTIRE trip. We should of been taking an hour taxi ride, but a 3 and half hour ride awaited us. To say the least, I was VERY pissed off. I was pissed off for a number of reasons, but I ended up narrowing it down to the fact that the driver KNEW I was a local and still managed to take advantage of my family and their "supposed" money. The driver politely got a piece of my mind upon arrival, and coincidentally we made it back to town in normal time. hmmmm...
Belmont Estate is the local chocolate factory which still makes 100% organic chocolate on a plantation that dates back 300 years. They ha vent moved to the likes of massive machines that run Cadbury and Hershey plants, but still remain to use local man (and woman) power to produce the most delicious chocolate I've ever had. We took an awesome tour, drank some delicious spiced cocoa tea and of course brought home chocolate bars.
Next we ventured to the River Rum Distillery which still uses machines from the 1700's. We got to see how they crush the sugar cane, move it to large vats to rot and finally makes it to the production line, manned by 5 local employees. The distillery cannot keep up with local demand, so international export isn't a possibility, although its constantly asked about. I love the fact that the distillery wants to remain low key, locally employed and honest to the process of making rum. Although my aunt Lori opted out of trying the rum (bad experience), Mom and I jumped in to try the rum.
The last couple days of their visit we enjoyed the beach, pool and pina coladas. YUM. It was a great time and I'm so happy I got the chance to show some of my family just what my Peace Corps experience is all about. I cant wait til my sister can come with my mom next Christmas.
One more thing...I cant forget to thank my mom and aunt (and all the people that donated) for bringing over 100 pounds of school supplies for the Grenadian children. My school will never be able to thank you guys enough.
Until then...Its back to the real world with no A/C, bugs and work calling my name.
