We have arrived on the Island of Dominica. It was a stressful two days of airports and traveling. We ended up in LAX for about 12 hours before we took off for San Juan. The girls did very well, considering how bored we all were toward the end.
(One of the many lizards that live in our building)
All of the baggage arrived with us except mine. Wes' suitcase has a huge gash in the seam and Jillian's has a slice where it will be difficult to fix. Mine finally arrived with the last flight, but we picked it up today...it was soaking wet as well as most items inside. Seems as if they drug it through the ocean on the way. Wes drug the suitcase to our apartment which is not an easy task since there are really no paved roads and we are up a hill. By saying "up a hill", I am talking San Francisco style. If we stay at this place for the entire time, we will have killer butts and legs!
Living here is different, as we thought, but you just can't get used to some things...like taking a shower with the centipedes. Worms and centipedes are all over and can be found crawling on your walls and floors at any given moment. Surprisingly, we have not encountered many mosquitoes, for which we are thankful. There are some people who have been bitten, but we have been fortunate.
(Caterpiller we found on campus)
Our apartment is not a new or beautiful condo by any stretch of the imagination. It is very small and has a distinct odor. It is very hot and humid here, so nothing every really dries out. Luckily there are no carpets anywhere, everything is tiled. The only thing about that is the floor constantly feels wet.
(Wes and the girls and my stuff drying out)
The girls are having a good time, but are not that excited about walking everywhere. Jillian told us today that she wished we would have remembered the car. Dominica has a KFC, so the kids don't have to starve, but things are spendy here. The milk is a bit different as you don't refrigerate it. That makes me a little leery, but seems to be good. Cereal is very pricey. We found a box of Honey Nut Cheerios for 27 EC which is about $10.00 US. We may have to pay for a bus ride into Roseau to shop for groceries.
We will keep you posted with how we are geting along.
Love to all.
Welcome to live outside the USA. Life is an adventure when you live in a foreign country to be sure. It gives you lifetime memories that you will have to share with each other in the years ahead...and with your grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteIt will take awhile but you will come to adapt (and even like) some of the differences in culture that you will experience.
Get some bikes and you will be on easy street!
Blessings.
Glad you got your suitcase at last. Hopefully you didn't have any dry cleanables in it. Send some pictures of your home. What do you eat? Can't afford much cereal at that price. We miss everyone bunches.
ReplyDeleteLove you G & G
Hi MaryLou & Wes!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to stop by and say hi and let you know that I am raying for you both (and your sweet girls,even though I've not met them). I hope your first day of school goes weel Monday! Please post and let us know!
Justin is facinated with your adventure. Some time you'll have to post how you got there!
Love,
Amy Dusseau