Ocean and Literacy Class

We have been without internet the last few nights so I will catch you up slowly.
The first night we sat around and talked about Jamaica politics and how Scott and Carrie feel about their Peace Corps Work. Nothing big or exciting. The night time does not cool down much. I slept without a sheet and a fan blowing on me constantly. The next morning we were awaken (I should say, Marie was awakened) by lawn mowers right outside our window. I slept well and did not feel the need to get up, even after the mowers went by. Scott and Carrie went to work and Marie and I made ourselves breakfast. Scott returned shortly and we tried our first time in the sea. Marie brought out the snorkel and fins, Scott goggles, but I just wanted to get used to the water. The ocean is salty. Duh. BUT, it makes it very easy to float. With little effort I swam for a long time without tiring. This is no little feat for me. I am the most inefficient swimmer in the land.
After sunburning my shoulders, Carrie came back and we ate a small lunch.

Scott and Carrie teach a literacy class Tuesday and Thursday for adults in the community. Marie and I sat in on their class. The class is suppose to start at 4, but as everything in Jamaica, the schedule is a little laid back. The first student arrived around 4:45 and by 5:15, Carrie had three of her students. Scott did not get any, but we play the newspaper crossword. It was fun to watch Carrie and the students. The class is volunteer for Scott and Carrie and they charge nothing for it. The adults love Carrie and her kindness and willingness to work with them.
I will write more on the Jamaica school later.

After the class, we walked around the town of Bluefield on our way home. It was a powerful experience. This is an experience few Jamaican tourists see. There is one road that goes up the hill and eventually curves back down to the highway. On this road the houses are at all angles, and distances from the road, completely separated by rainforest like plants. The upper class, middle class, and lower class all live in the same space. They can live off about a mile from the road and still be in the community although to a Westerner like me, it seems they are very seperated. All the houses are built of cement. They are in different stages of construction. When Jamaicans get enough money to add on, they do, so every house looks like it is half finished. Most all of the yards have goats or dogs running around, and everyone has a large smile for you. The kids play in the street, and usually they are making up variations on Cricket or soccer. It was a great experience to walk along the road.

We came back home and turned in early on Thursday. Scott fried up black bean burgers that were very delicious. We watched two episodes of Arrested Development on Scott's Laptop and went to bed.