Life as a Trainee

Jamaica is a more difficult post than I thought. As I am learning, it is harder to integrate into a culture that is similar in many ways but different in others. A similar language, yet totally different.. Similar culture, but totally different. We have been busy with training, and when were not training trying to integrate with the community we live in. I still have a lot to learn about the culture, history and language, but it is a amazing experience and I can see this first couple of months to be useful for the rest of my life. It has forced me to be more adaptable than I could have ever imagined. I am also getting to know my co volunteer trainees. A very diverse group, but I am enjoying getting to know everyone.

The food is wonderful here. I went to the big market on Sunday with my host mom. It was crazy! People everywhere selling everything from fruits and veggies, to underwear and clothes, to ganga, to beer, to laundry stuff, to household appliances, anything can be bought here. We bought a bunch of fruits and veggies. I think my favorite thing is fried plantains for breakfast with eggs or whatever.. They eat huge breakfasts, and some even include salt fish, which is different all in itself! I also like jerk chicken, and rice and peas. The most bizarre breakfast I have been served is a tuna fish sandwich (it was one of the best I have ever had, double stacked).

Here are some photos of the beach that is just a run or walk away from where I have been living. It has been wonderful to run to the beach and swim in the morning or hang out on the weekend.

I also had the opportunity to go to CHAMPS, which is their country wide track and field meet for high schools. It is extremely popular and people are crazy fans, watch it all week with their families on TV. My sister Tanisha brought me, there is a picture of her cheering. She was pretty funny with her friends, they really got into it. People come from all over the country to cheer for their current/old high schools.