J'ouvert Morning!

Ok, so once again my blog is in need of some serious recapping.  Can you really blame me though? Every day begins at 7am (which, by the way, is not because I need to be up that early but because the roosters around here refuse to grant me that extra half hour of sleep I crave).  Unlike some social service agencies, at BNTF there is no sitting still behind a desk all day.  BNTF Project Manager and my new found mentor, Osbert DeSuza has me running around meeting with community members, going to the local TDC to pick up supplies (equivalent to our Home Depot), negotiating with other sectors to collaborate our efforts in certain villages, or making preparations for our upcoming workshop in July.  What I've learned is that most of what has been accomplished at BNTF over the years has been primarily due to the efforts of basically two people (Mr. DeSuza and former Community Liaison Officer Azilla Clarke).  A day could end at 4:30 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or sometimes you wonder if you actually walked to work that day or if you just woke up at your desk.

 BUT one thing I know is this. If I'm going to work hard, you better believe I'm going to rest hard and play hard, and yes, party hard!  Speaking of partying, if you haven't heard of J'ouvert Morning (which was actually a while back on June 13) it is a festival held here in Cayon, which is also celebrated throughout the Caribbean.  It originated as a celebration of the emancipation of slavery in 1838 and the word J'ouvert comes from the French, meaning dawn/daybreak... and by that I mean we were literally out at 7:30 in the morning dancing to calypso and soca music all throughout the village of Cayon.  Nothing is more freeing.  That's one thing I'm starting to figure out - how to let go of some of my rigidness and enjoy myself and enjoy everything around me.  Life here in St. Kitts is largely about taking the time to enjoy things that I think go underappreciated in Canada, from singing, dancing, or just limin' with your buddies.  There's no room for my fast-paced attitude here.

Regardless of the adjustments, I'm loving it here.  There's something to be said for Kittitian hospitality.  I have definitely been spoiled since I've been here.  The woman I stay with (Ms. Williams) cooks meals for me every day, which by the way is amazing Caribbean cousine!  I haven't had to take a bus anywhere because there's always someone looking out for me to ensure I have a ride, and I'm never short of company whether it's coworkers taking me out to the Strip - the local lime on Friday nights - or having conversations with the neighbourhood guys, playing ball with the girls, or catching a lift down to Frigate Bay for a swim.  I also admit I've been given more than my fair share of attention from the men over here.  There's something to be said for being the new girl on the island, and I often get teased and have been accused of being "afraid of Kittitian men" for not wanting to get too close. Hahahaha, well if that's the worst of my troubles, then I guess I have it pretty good over here!