Two weeks ago we had our wardens meeting up in Comfort Castle at Josh and Jessi’s. They live up in the mountains above Port Antonio. It was the worst cab ride I have ever had. I sat on the lap of another volunteer and a random Jamaican. I was clenching my abs so much to try and keep myself from flailing around the cab, and getting car sick from going too fast up a windy, pot holed, mountain road. I was just high enough to not be able to see out the windows. Once we reached Comfort Castle, you have to walk about a quarter mile to their house because a storm decided to take a part of the road last year. There is a walk bridge. Its crazy to be in a community that is literally cut off from society. They have cars and cabs, but they must stop at the road slide, walk across and catch another. It was beautiful up there, the Rio Grande was literally across the street (and down a canyon). It rained most of the time so we spent a lot of time out on the porch and in the house. Great hosts and wonderful people. Everyone from the Portland parish met up to discuss rules, procedures and get to know eachother. After a night of tacos, rum, the last episode of LOST, some funny stories and listening and watching a storm (AWESOME), the electricity went out and I slept in a hammock on the porch, it was great. The next day we had a chili cook off and our “official meeting”. It was nice to visit this community and meet everyone in the parish.
This Last week I went to a Science Fair at a high school in Buff Bay. We were there along with RADA, a federal agriculture organization, the Forestry Department, Portland Bee Keeping organization and a few other organizations and schools. It was like a zoo, so many kids grabbing pamphlets and going from booth to booth. It was nice to talk to some of the students and network with some other organizations. I am still waiting for my grant to be approved so work in the office is slow.
On Wednesday, along with some other PC Volunteers, I visited the local agriculture college, CASE. All of the volunteers that will be staying in Portland after this summer will be environment, so we spoke with the science department and the agriculture department to try and find some potential projects. One of the new PCV to Portland wants to teach wine making at the college, maybe I will be able to help with that and learn how to make wine too! After the visit to the college I traveled to Discovery Bay, where another volunteer, Greg is placed. He is working at the Marine Lab. We went snorkeling that evening and collected specimens for a touch tank that we used at a eco fair in Montego Bay the next day.
Thursday morning we traveled to Montego Bay and spent the day at Half Moon resort speaking with school aged kids about marine life. The touch tank was a hit. They also caught a baby lion fish that was on display. After a day on my feet talking to kids we got a tour of the resort! WOW, it was sooo nice!! Golf cart tour of a HUGE resort!
The next morning it was back to Portland, I made a pit stop to James Bond beach where another Peace Corps friend is placed to see his site. Talk about a rough site, this beach is beautiful. He took me on a snorkel tour of the reef and we had lunch with another volunteer and then I was back on the packed mini-bus for the last leg of my trip. I got home sun burnt and exhausted. This weekend I look forward to some rest! I am glad to have made the trip and work with the Discovery Bay Marine Lab and to get some contacts for some future projects!
James Bond Beach
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