Category: Dominica

Aug 25

Today we went to market. It was the first time to go there as big time buyers. I was so excited I had to go home to get a plastic bag for everything I wanted to buy. I passed on some oranges thinking that they would be there when I returned. Brad was wrong to support that poor thought.

I bought cucumbers, limes, two varieties of bananas, potatoes, and a breadfruit. I cut up half of a cucumber to eat with my hot dog and cheese balls for lunch. I also had a fish cake at the market and cake on the way back.

Later in the day, Brad and I finished exploring the Cabrits by walking to the top of the East Cabrit. We saw just as much land on the east as there is water on the west Cabrit. The trail wasn’t well maintained but the view was worth the hike.

The hike was sweat-inducing but that was no problem. Rosemary began doing our wash Friday and will on Tuesdays and Fridays from now on.

Aug 23

Brad said today that he was interested in having his own place – not immediately, but sometime in the future. I was somewhat shocked and upset by his sudden announcement. We aren’t close or the best of friends but there have been no problems that I know of. I was to some extent worried about my expenses and living arrangements.

Brad wants to live on his own and be independent, he says. I hope I haven’t done anything to make him want to move out. I think I’ll stay here if he does move out, unless Mrs. Garaway doesn’t want to rent this big place to only one person. I can possibly find someone else to share the place, maybe a new PCV if any more get assigned to the Portsmouth area.

Brad has just gotten out of college and on his own. I suppose he needs his privacy although he will have it when I go places without him. I hope he is okay and not planning to E.T.

August 22

I had to stop writing last night because I got scared by the noise of scampering feet which probably belonged to mice. We’ve caught two already  but it seems that there are more under the floor boards and I thought some were crawling above in the ceiling. There was even some animal’s feces in the kitchen when we came back. It was small and probably the droppings of the mice. 

Brad and I returned back from a three night stay in Roseau. The two most important reasons were a gamma globulin shot in the butt to prevent hepatitis and a supervisor’s meeting not attended by our principal. We also attended Don’s birthday party and did some shopping for necessary household items.

One of the personal items I bought was a basin to soak my feet. I haven’t used it yet.

I did not have any entries for August 18, 19, or 20, but I do have some pictures from that weekend.

Brad and I met a few more people today as we walked around town. We talked to a lady at the Portsmouth Book Store where I bought a copy of the paper that had the story of the swearing in. We also met some Ross University med students at mini-cash.

Today we talked to Diom who stopped by our apartment for no reason with his cousins who had for no reason shown up yesterday. His father died of cancer and he lived with his mom, stepdad, and three younger siblings. He told me he wanted to be a pilot when I asked him what he’d like to do when he grew up.

I really hope to meet some more people from Portsmouth and make some close friends. I really miss all my friends from home. Brad and I had a personal talk about what we miss. It is going to be rough for both of us and although we don’t have a whole lot in common, I think we’ll get to be close friends.

I think friends here will be what keeps me from Early Terminating. I never thought I would ET but now I’m not so sure. Maybe I’ll get a chance to go home for a short time to help me through or get some visits from friends.

Aug 17

It looks like we might be able to get someone to do our wash soon. On the way back from a day at the Cabrits & Douglas Bay, a lady asked us who we were. After telling her that we were Peace Corps workers, she asked if we need our clothes washed. She may stop by to talk to us about it and if it is within our budget we might let her. I hand washed my clothes tonight after a dinner of chicken and rice.

The clothes I wore today were very sweaty from all the walking we did. We walked up a very long path on the West Cabrits. I was frustrated because I was afraid it would lead to nowhere but it took us to a cannon and great view of the sea. We walked back down among all the lizards and saw Lennox and some of the children he was informing about the Cabrits.

I met a couple of Portsmouth Secondary School students. I don’t know if I’ll be teaching them because I don’t know what I’m going to teach and even that won’t be certain until the end of September after we’ve been teaching. I’m not too worried. I’ll be happy to be busy and meeting people.

Aug 16