Life on the Rock
I've done it. The hard part is over. At least, that's what I keep telling myself. I'm here in one piece. Check. I have a roof over my head. Check. I am driving — on the left. Check.
All of that has been pretty easy, although, exhausting. But it's done and I lived to tell the tale. Last night, I even spent the first night in my own flat. This marks the first time I have been truly alone since October 2005 and it feels good! Well, sorta alone. Less than 20 degrees from the Equator, I feel I'm never by myself as there are lizards, frogs and bugs running around my flat at any given moment. Just this morning, a nice quarter-sized, hairy spider greeted me from the fold in the toilet paper! How friendly was he? I returned the favor by flushing him. The flat is sans dishes, pots and pans and a bit hot but having privacy after so long of not is bliss. There is nothing like your own place.
Nothing like your own place with a killer view. This is zoomed out, by the way.
This morning, I woke up inspired by some 'liquid sunshine', which is what they call sunshowers, to write about my first week here. Of course, people make a big deal about that driving on the left thing but since the cars have the steering wheel on the left like Stateside, it's not that big of a difference. I immediately took to the other side of the road, without major event. Getting lost, however, is something I do equally well.
After being here for five days, I was desperately seeking some island cuisine and went in search of one of my favorite dishes, Roti. Now, this dish is traditionally Trinidadian but you can find a version of it in most Caribbean cultures. It is curried vegetables, meat or seafood wrapped inside a special unleavened bread that's different from tortilla.
Ideal roti, indeed! Lekker!
This quest took me on one of my first forays alone into a hood where I was told I didn't want to get a flat. I parked my car at the bottom of the hill and footed my way up. It didn't look very different from one of the neighborhoods I know so well in NYC. There were hair shops, bars and cramped little apartments that I'm sure didn't have AC. But nothing scary. It was daytime, so there is that.
Inside Ideal Restaurant, I found a nice family of Trinidadians making their staple dish. The roti was hot, fresh and peppery. In other words, exactly how I wanted it. We exchanged names after I told him I was new to the island and loved his specialty. How I'm looking forward to more!
One of the first things I noticed is, the gap between the natives and the locals. Tourists are beasts of a different stripe and a blog all by themselves. Natives, of course, are those born here. Locals are those who come to live here like me. Many of the natives don't live in the big houses or flats afforded by the locals. They don't eat in the same places, either. I haven't even seen many at the same beaches but I've only been here a week and stayed at a hotel, so bookmark that one. It seems there are two factions on this island, who rarely come in contact unless one needs a service from the other.
As word gets around that the Daily News hired a new reporter from off island, who is now on island, I'm meeting some people in the know. All have introduced themselves quite politely and I know these early introductions will prove beneficial as time goes on. I'm excited to start work Monday and can't wait to write my first story. Until then, I'm settling in and meeting lots of native men. This I do without trying because there are five men for every one woman here. Finally, the odds are in my favor! Move over, Mr. Big because you're about to be history. However, here's an unpleasant stat: Two out of the three were unemployed, getting a government check and told me about all of this within the first five minutes of conversation. Not a good look. Uh, Mr. Big?
Word of the Day: Discerning.
Now, I've really got to go, I'm writing this outside and there is something scampering at a fast clip towards me. It's probably one of the island's wild chickens. I kid not.
Will have better pictures once I unpack.
All of that has been pretty easy, although, exhausting. But it's done and I lived to tell the tale. Last night, I even spent the first night in my own flat. This marks the first time I have been truly alone since October 2005 and it feels good! Well, sorta alone. Less than 20 degrees from the Equator, I feel I'm never by myself as there are lizards, frogs and bugs running around my flat at any given moment. Just this morning, a nice quarter-sized, hairy spider greeted me from the fold in the toilet paper! How friendly was he? I returned the favor by flushing him. The flat is sans dishes, pots and pans and a bit hot but having privacy after so long of not is bliss. There is nothing like your own place.
This morning, I woke up inspired by some 'liquid sunshine', which is what they call sunshowers, to write about my first week here. Of course, people make a big deal about that driving on the left thing but since the cars have the steering wheel on the left like Stateside, it's not that big of a difference. I immediately took to the other side of the road, without major event. Getting lost, however, is something I do equally well.
After being here for five days, I was desperately seeking some island cuisine and went in search of one of my favorite dishes, Roti. Now, this dish is traditionally Trinidadian but you can find a version of it in most Caribbean cultures. It is curried vegetables, meat or seafood wrapped inside a special unleavened bread that's different from tortilla.
This quest took me on one of my first forays alone into a hood where I was told I didn't want to get a flat. I parked my car at the bottom of the hill and footed my way up. It didn't look very different from one of the neighborhoods I know so well in NYC. There were hair shops, bars and cramped little apartments that I'm sure didn't have AC. But nothing scary. It was daytime, so there is that.
Inside Ideal Restaurant, I found a nice family of Trinidadians making their staple dish. The roti was hot, fresh and peppery. In other words, exactly how I wanted it. We exchanged names after I told him I was new to the island and loved his specialty. How I'm looking forward to more!
One of the first things I noticed is, the gap between the natives and the locals. Tourists are beasts of a different stripe and a blog all by themselves. Natives, of course, are those born here. Locals are those who come to live here like me. Many of the natives don't live in the big houses or flats afforded by the locals. They don't eat in the same places, either. I haven't even seen many at the same beaches but I've only been here a week and stayed at a hotel, so bookmark that one. It seems there are two factions on this island, who rarely come in contact unless one needs a service from the other.
As word gets around that the Daily News hired a new reporter from off island, who is now on island, I'm meeting some people in the know. All have introduced themselves quite politely and I know these early introductions will prove beneficial as time goes on. I'm excited to start work Monday and can't wait to write my first story. Until then, I'm settling in and meeting lots of native men. This I do without trying because there are five men for every one woman here. Finally, the odds are in my favor! Move over, Mr. Big because you're about to be history. However, here's an unpleasant stat: Two out of the three were unemployed, getting a government check and told me about all of this within the first five minutes of conversation. Not a good look. Uh, Mr. Big?
Word of the Day: Discerning.
Now, I've really got to go, I'm writing this outside and there is something scampering at a fast clip towards me. It's probably one of the island's wild chickens. I kid not.
Will have better pictures once I unpack.
Posted by LoisLane at Friday, October 09, 2009 6:48 AM 
Categories: Life on the Rock,Times in Life,The Road Less Traveled
Tags: Ailenka moving life St. Thomas dating Ailene Virgin Islands Torres
Categories: Life on the Rock,Times in Life,The Road Less Traveled
Tags: Ailenka moving life St. Thomas dating Ailene Virgin Islands Torres
I am very excited to be able to follow your adventures out there on the Rock. Be safe with all those wild animals (incl the men)! LOL Enjoy yourself.
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I guess you wont be eating chicken anytime soon especially since one of the locals (was she imported?)came to greet you personally.
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Wow, i know what you mean, nothing like your own place, must be refreshing after all those years. The pic as so beautiful, looks so delightful. i especially noted your take on the two factions on the island...interesting. Thanks for sharing dear, you made me feel like i was sort of there. You must be some kind of special in terms of the ratio of women to men....if only the men could find a decent job.
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@Jo3ll3:
The men are the wildest of the bunch! A very interesting mix, indeed. I hope that you will continue to follow along because I'm just getting started!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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@Erik:
I think the bird is actually a native. And, the gov't has a program to round them up but it doesn't seem to help. Apparently, they reproduce and then suddenly the numbers dwindle and the cycle repeats. I think Islanders are eating plenty of chicken, as will I.
Thanks for stopping by!
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@Wesley:
It's my pleasure to be able to share my adventures with others. I am happy do it, as long as I can make people feel like I've taken them someplace special. So, thank you.
As far as, 'some kind of special', I think the term is, 'new meat.' They see me coming a mile away. I'm sure there are plenty of men here who have decent jobs, as there are lawyers, both local level and federal, as well as, judges, doctors and professors at the University of the Virgin Islands. It's a matter of time and the circles I run in.
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Hello,
Great site! Really like the story and sounds like you're on quite an adventure Lois! I love the flavour of the islands. Keep telling us about them.
Peace!
Jake
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@Jake:
Welcome and thanks!
I'm learning about the quirky island lifestyle, so definitely stay tuned!
Thanks for stopping by.
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