Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, & Negril

Early Monday morning I got in the UWI bus along with my host, Ms. Jackson, my supervisor, Ms. Bishop, and our bus driver, Mr. Wright. We headed to Ocho Rios first to hit the falls again! I loved it so much the first time, so the second time was like a nice treat! We then went to a great restaurant for lunch, Scotchys. This is a hidden gem that serves mostly jerk flavored meats- grilled on big open coals. Although I didn't eat any of the meat, I was able to get my favorite, bread fruit, and some great corn! The corn here is different- it is tough and crunchy. It puts sweet corn to shame! YUM!

On our way north we stopped at a secret place- "The Fountain of Youth." Well wouldnt you know it was this spring that locals have made into a big ordeal. Well I got in the spring- because I want to stay young forever- and got cleansed. I guess we will see in a few years if it really worked!

We went to MoBay and checked into the UWI- West Campus residence hall. It overlooks the ocean and is located on the Hip Strip- "the place to be" in Montego Bay. It was lovely. We left for Negril in the Morning to see the beautiful beaches and Rick's Cafe. This restaurant is known as one of the top 10 bars in the whole world! I can see why!! There are cliffs that the bar surrounds and people dive off of them! It is also the tip top most part of Jamaica which allows for a beautiful sunset over the ocean. It was truly a beautiful place- one that I must take my best girl friends back to as soon as possible!! I have attached a picture of a man diving from high above the water.

We went back to MoBay for the evening and slept in the next morning. On our way to Kingston we stopped at Green Grotto Caves. This was awesome! The cave was at one point where slaves escaped and in the 1970's where people partied! It was nice and cool underground. There were plenty of bats and snakes- so I just hurried through it. It was quite a site though, seeing the rocks and deep water holes.

My night finished out with a nice dinner out with the 4 people that have assisted me here at UWI - Dr. Reynolds, Ms. Bishop, Mr. Myers, and Ms. Jackson. I shared gifts from Pennsylvania with them and we talked about PA and the history. It made me really proud to be from PA and even more eager to get back home tomorrow!

Mis Colombian Amigos!

Another fabulous weekend!!

Saturday morning I hopped on a bus to Ocho Rios with the Colombian students. We first went to Dunn's River Falls which is by far the coolest thing that I have experienced here in Jamaica. You start by walking to the bottom of the mountain where there is a beach and pier. You are supposed to wear little shoes, but I decided to go barefoot. I befriended another student (from Germany, visiting Kingston on exchange in the medical field) and we climbed the falls. It was so incredible. I have done little rock climbing in my life and really enjoyed doing it- only up a waterfall. The water was cool enough and the exercise was good. We made it about half way up the mountain and sat awhile to chat. I learned a lot about Toby, where he is from, his family, and his life goals. We both came to the conclusion that life is nothing without travel. I kept thinking about our discussion as we climbed the rest of the mountain. I thought to myself that I feel sorry for those who don't actually LIVE during their life. People seem to just go through the motions and never make a change or try something new. I have certainly pushed my comfort level boundaries during this trip and I am so happy that I have done so. I think that even if you can't afford to travel around the world, that you should often do something that tests your limits, makes you think, or helps someone else. Toby is interning in South Africa in the spring where he will, after one week of introductions, begin surgeries on patients. Although he feels he is not 'up to par' and knows he could hurt something, he also is aware that he could be the patient's only hope. I admire Toby for traveling so much. He made me decide that backpacking through Europe needs to happen. Lucky for me, he lives in Frankfurt and invited me to his home and offered to help plan my trip. After a second climb we took so many photos. I felt like a true tourist! It was such a beautiful site and just an awesome experience.

Sunday morning I got up very early and had breakfast. I was able to meet up with one of the Colombian professors and we went out to the beach about 9am. He swam while I took in some sun. The others showed up later and we had a really nice time on the beach. The final match was on at 1:30 and we found a sports bar across from our hotel. It was packed! Most were cheering for Spain, while we cheered for the Netherlands. When Spain scored the winning goal, the crowd went crazy! There were many happy Jamaicans in Ocho Rios today.

We headed out around 5:30. I was able to reflect on my weekend with my new friends on the bus ride back. I am so happy to have met people who took me in as their own and allowed me to learn their culture. I really like them and am sad to say bye come Thursday when I fly back to the US. I would love to visit them in Bogata one day.

Off to Montego Bay tomorrow for more sun, sand, and sightseeing!

Final Work Day.. Now Time for Fun!

I worked all week in the Rex Nettleford Hall of Residence office. I was on my own most of the week so I decided to really dig into housing independently. I was able to do some research on program planning, orientation, and hall life in the Jamaican culture. I then added some of my own experience and ideas from FSU to create a program guide, a model for programming, and an orientation check list. Although the week went quickly, I am happy to have come away with some documents that should be able to help the staff at Rex Nettleford Hall.

Throughout the week I spent a lot of time with the Colombian students. Elias and I went out several times, exploring Kingston. We even went to Juici Patti- a lovely little Jamaican fastfood place that serves sandwich like meals. They serve soy and veggie patties so I was good to go!

The students from Colombia have invited me for a weekend with them in Ocho Rios. There is a big beach party and also other activities that are planned on their itinerary. I am very lucky that they have invited me to go! We are also watching the final World Cup match on Sunday. I learned that Colombians and other South Americans do not like the country of Spain. Therefore, we are all cheering for the Netherlands!

Elias also taught me that there were two brothers that founded ADIDAS. They have a falling out and the company split. One brother kept ADIDAS while the other created a new company. We know that company today as PUMA, sponsor of the World's Fastest Man, Mr. Usain Bolt.

A lovely weekend!

This weekend was so wonderful! I will start with Saturday:

Dalton picked me up at 7:30 am (!) to go to a bar in New Kingston to watch the football matches. Picture a cheaper, more fun version of Damon's. When I say more fun, I mean much more fun! The place was packed at 8 am to watch Argentina play Germany. With your entrance fee you got Red Stripe Bold- YUM. Sorry Ryan, but it makes Yuengling taste like oil. Anyway, we were surrounded by many Argentina fans, but some Germany fans. I can assure you the Germany fans were all over Dalton in his Argentina jersey when they scored. It was a bummer to lose, but sure was fun to be able to experience the World Cup with friends and many, many fans, unlike the US. We stayed to watch Spain and Paraguay. Although Spain has some very attractive players, I was really pulling for Paraguay. OH well again. So now- I could care less about who wins- but at least now I know where to go to watch!

Dr. Reynolds invited me to her home for a party Saturday evening. It was outside on her lawn and beautifully decorated! It was catered with all of the wonderful food from Jamaica. Unfortunately, jerk chicken and ackee with saltfish are off my menu options. So I had some new things to try: bread fruit! Oh it is so wonderful- it is a fruit that comes off of a tree and after baking it, resembles bread. I had no idea what it was, but it was so great. I wish we had these trees in Tallahassee! Jamaicans love juice, too! So there were all types of juice and fruit around the table. The music was nice as well. Dr. Reynolds is such a classy woman and I am lucky to have gotten to meet her.

5 am Sunday morning came fast! I caught the bus to downtown Kingston, by the water, for the Grace Kennedy 5k run for Education. Myself, many UWI staff, and about one thousand other people participated in the run/walk. As I was lining up to start, I noticed a Rastaman in front of me ready to run. Wouldn't you know it, he had no shoes on! The man finished the race with no shoes... Well props to him- and props to me! I ran fast enough to cut a minute off of my previous 5k time AND took second place for the women's corporate category! I am laughing right now because I really thought I would come in last being amongst some star athletes, including Olympian Grace Jackson. I guess Jamaicans are better sprinters! Nonetheless I had a great time at the race and am proud that my hard work is starting to pay off.

After running 3.12 miles on the sun, er.. I mean Jamaica, I decided it was a perfect day for the pool. Yes..... and it rained all day yesterday so the water was bound to be cold! Indeed, the water was very cold and the weather was perfect. I managed to get enough sun and make some new friends. A group of 20+ students from Columbia are here on exchange for 5 weeks. Sort of like my program, only there are 20 of them! So we talked and I learned that they are here to learn English. After our discussion is has been decided that I will help to teach them English if they teach me how to dance Salsa and Merengue. Sounds like a good deal! I was able to catch some of friend Patrick's volleyball match today. Unfortunately the UWI team did not win first, but it was fun to watch either way. Patrick and I have a love/hate relationship. I have been told I have the ability to shut him up- words of Davida. I guess they will miss me in the sports office! When leaving the match I bought myself a coconut. The juice was not as sweet as I expected but rather very refreshing. I cracked it open when I was finished and ate some of the inside. I am not sure how much I like it- think I will stick to the bread fruit.. oh yummmy.

All in all it was a very, very fun and exciting weekend. I look forward to spending some time with the Colombian students and learn a little about their culture as well. They are already trying to get me on a plane to visit. Maybe that will be my next trip! I start with housing tomorrow and Wednesday I am off for a northern Jamaica trip to Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Before you know it I will be on a plane to Atlanta---- get ready Melanie! :)

Last day in UWI Sports Department

What an awesome experience it has been to work with the UWI Sports Department. Today, sadly, was my last day with the department. I have enjoyed my time so much and equally have learned a lot. I was able to help create a marketing plan, assist with website updates, and research faculty and staff fitness programs for future implementation at UWI. All of that in just two weeks! Mostly, I enjoyed the people. I was welcomed by the staff and students and treated as a professional. I will certainly miss those in the department.

Today----- was a huge day in football. At one point I looked around my desk and realized I was the only one working and not watching Brazil get beat by the Netherlands. It was an exciting time in the small department hallway. Poor Davida was the only Brazil fan in the bunch. I am going to go to a bar in New Kingston tomorrow morning with Dalton and Rashid to watch the Argentina game. I sure hope Argentina wins, or I may not have a ride back to campus! I learned today that Dalton likes Argentina because he was born there. It should be exciting- especially since the game starts at 9am! And here I thought I would miss seeing all of this excitement!

Thoughts..thoughts..

Yesterday I finished out the work week at the sports department. I really like working there- mostly because the people and a little because of the work. It is great, however, working with fun people, who LOVE sports! I could definitely get used to being around sports talk all day, every day. There are four students that I work with to create the website and marketing plan. Davida, Jenelle, Shamaine, and Patrick are all UWI students who have worked in the office as student workers for some time now. They make me laugh a lot and planned an outing for us after work. They all have such different views on work, life, society, sports, etc. They seem to get into spats about their differences on most days and I just listen. I learn so much from listening. (I would like to try harder at doing this back in the US.) On Friday they started talking about none other than...hazing. Just when I think I am away from that topic, it peeks its ugly head out in Jamaica.

As I mentioned before there is a strong sense of Residence Hall pride at UWI. The students literally treat the halls like a fraternity or sorority. They have names, colors, and now I have learned, rights of passage. During orientation week each fall a lot of hazing happens between third year students and first year students. Mostly this includes embarrassing acts or drinking. I listened quite intently during this discussion in the office as Patrick defended hazing while Shamaine made it clear that she thinks it is wrong and offensive. She said that she feels that everyone has different backgrounds and you never know when hazing could hit the wrong nerve for some. She told me later in the day about a young girl who never came out of her room and they deemed her a "lump" - one who does not participate in hall activities. A year later, when her mother passed away from cancer, they realized that they had made many mistakes when putting her down for not being active in the activities.

This conversation has been on my mind, hence why I blog about it. Again, many many miles from FSU and the issues are the same. I am proud to say that at FSU we handle hazing in a very serious manner, whereas at UWI, those in charge turn a blind eye to the situation.

After work we all piled into a small cab and went to New Kingston for dinner and drinks at "Cuddyz." We had a lot of fun and it was nice to see the nightlife culture in Jamaica. During our time the issue of Chris "Dudas" Coke being captured came up. Although I am glad for this, it does pose many questions for the economy for Jamaica. I can't forget what cute little Miss Shamaine said, "I believe in Jamaica."

Today should be a good day- we are watching "my" team- USA- play in the afternoon followed by a men's field hockey match. I couldn't be more excited to see some field hockey.... if only they would let me out on the field!!!!!

Ocho Rios & CTLPA conference

Well it has been over a week since I've posted- oops! I guess I have been busy!

I just returned from a conference in Ocho Rios. The conference began on Monday and finished today, Thursday. I love conferences- but I really love conferences at an all-inclusive resort. I would not have been upset if the bus left me there today. What a beautiful place- white beaches, blue water, and food and drink left and right. It was fantastic. The conference was for the Caribbean Tertiary Level Personnel Association= higher education conference for the islands. It was a small crowd this year because of the economy and the unrest/state of emergency warnings. However, it was fantastic meeting the President of ACPA (American College Personnel Association) and her Eagles fan son, Taylor. They were fun to hang out with at night, watching shows, having dinner, etc. They are from Rochester, NY where Taylor goes to school and his mother is the VPSA at Monroe Community College. She was great and reminded me of Dr. Coburn. All in all the conference was wonderful and I was able to learn about the differences and struggles that each school present was facing. What is most interesting is that although FSU is very far from the islands, we still share the same problems. Generational gaps, security and risk management, crisis management, and more reiterate the fact that no matter where one works, the same issues will arise.

I have been here two weeks now and feel like time is flying by. I suppose it always does, though. How about USA?! I am wishing I had brought some sort of US related gear. It sure is exciting to be in a football-crazed country. I am looking forward to the match on Saturday. I have one week left in UWI sports department. I hate that I missed time with them because of the conference. I am really enjoying creating a marketing plan and website for UWI. I think it will really help their fan base and school spirit.

My sunburn and I are going to relax this evening- what a week it has been!