TravelStream™ news feed for member jennipost on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/jennipost en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:32:34 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1191173340/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1191173340/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1191173340/tpod.html Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:32:34 -0400 Jamaica: A Peace Corps Chronicle Part 2

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Olympia, Washington, United States

Greetings...

I will jump to the present since it has been many months since my last entry. As the map indicates, I am in Olympia, Washington. I moved here, with my boyfriend, for an engineering job with the Washington State Department of Transportation in the Olympic Region. My first day of work is tomorrow!! I am excited to start, but I must be honest, I have thoroughly enjoyed the 4 months between Peace Corps and my new gig with the DOT, even if it has been a bit hectic. It's a rainy Sunday here, so I have some time to let you know what's been going on.

I left Jamica about 4 months ago on May 31st and arrived safely in Green Bay, WI on June 1st after a night at O'hare Airport. My last Peace Corps test before I could complete my service, perhaps?? Anyway, I adjusted quite quickly to life at home, which was easy since I was living with my parents and they were extremely accomodating and hospitable (thanks mom and dad). The first half of June was relatively quiet, but soon the excitement began...
- Camping at Newport State Park on the Door Peninsula of Wisconsin
- Interview in Seattle, WA
- Maid-of-honor in my cousin's wedding in Duluth, Minnesota and then a camping trip in Jay Cooke State Park and then a few days in St. Paul, Minnesota
- One week family vacation in the Canadian Rockies - Lake Louise, Banff National Park
- Final work done on master's research report and preparations for defense
- Awarded MS in Civil Engineering at Michigan Tech! (I'd like to thank my committee)
- 11 day sailing trip from Bay City, Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin with my parents and boyfriend (approximately 400 nautical miles)
- 9 day roadtrip to Olympia, Washington via the Badlands, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Missoula, MT, Walla Walla wineries, and finally Mt. Rainer National Park
- Sign apartment lease, buy furniture, and move in
- 5 day backpacking trip on the Hoh River Trail in the Hoh Rainforest

I think that is all. Maybe work will give me some time to relax. :-)

Olympia is the Washington state capitol, and is a neat town. My boyfriend describes it as 'a little Madison'. The downtown is thriving, with countless art venues, coffee shops, and restaurants, including the Fishtale Brewery and Old School Pizza (two of our favs). The Farmer's Market runs all year long and right now the apples and pears are abundant. For all you sailors, there are a few marinas in town, as Olympia lies on the southern tip of the Puget Sound. And for the hikers and climbers, Olympic National Park is easy drive from here and about 90 minutes to Mt. Rainier National Park. Amtrak comes through Oly too, with easy trips to Seattle and Portland. The list of activities goes on and on and on.

Now that my time in Jamaica is over, this will be my last entry for this travelogue entry. I have found this to be a very effective way of keeping in touch with family and friends and also chronicling my Peace Corps story to the masses. Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for my next adventure...

in peace,
Jen
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1174924500/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1174924500/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1174924500/tpod.html Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:07:58 -0400 Jamaica: A Peace Corps Chronicle Part 2

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Greetings!

A thoughtful reader of my travelogue asked me to post an entry with the new telephone number to the Wildflower Lodge, which is located near the head of the Blue Mountain Peak trail. The new phone number, as of February 2007 is 876-845-7202 and the lady to talk to is Rose.

TheWildflower Lodge has rustic accomodations - bunk beds, gravity fed showers (no hot water), flush toilets. As a guest at the lodge you can request food be made for you or you can bring in your own food. Keep in mind that the kitchen is stocked with the bare necessities, but enough to make a one pot meal.

The view from the Lodge is breathtaking, looking southeast, you can watch the clouds roll in through the mountains below you. In the room looking east, you can watch the sun come up over Blue Mountain Peak. Blue Mountain coffee is grown in the area so coffee plants line the hills in small plots. Farmers sell their home-roasted coffee beans at the Lodge.

I highly recommend the Lodge when you visit the Blue Mountains. For more information about the Blue Mountains and for help in planning a trip, check out the following websites.

http://www.great-adventures.com/destinations/jamaica/bluemo.html
http://www.jamaicans.com/tourist/thebluemountains.shtml

Safe travels.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1173045120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1173045120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1173045120/tpod.html Sun, 04 Mar 2007 16:54:11 -0500 Jamaica: A Peace Corps Chronicle Part 2

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Greetings Friends and Family!

It's hard to believe it's been almost three months since my last entry, but that's how life goes. Much has happened in those three months, marked by three things: my month at home, my research project, and preparing for life after Peace Corps. Beware! This is a long update...

I returned to Wisconsin on December 20th, after almost a year away. Being home, surrounded by my family and the peace of the country was something I was really looking forward to. Most of my time was actually spent away from home, looking for snow, and visiting friends and family in Minnesota.
Immediately after Christmas, my parents and I embarked on a journey in search of snow and our goal was to cross-country ski as much as our bodies would allow, and that meant finding the best available conditions. We skied in Ironwood and Calumet, Michigan and then finally in Minocqua, Wisconsin. The best conditions were in Ironwood, but since that was the only place around with good conditions, people were there from all over. This is a good thing if you like to share the trails with lots of people, since it is not our type of fun, we traveled elsewhere and ended up in Calumet and finally on to Minocqua. The snow cover was surprisingly minimal in Calumet and Minocqua for the end of December, but we did the best we could, and had fun trying. The only thing that suffered was our ski bases.
A few days later I was off to St. Paul, MN to visit a few good friends. I stayed in the historical area of Cathedral Hill, within walking distance of downtown and the famous Nina's coffee shop. I had a great time there, and I gained a greater appreciation for what St. Paul has to offer: the quaint runner-friendly neighborhoods, the corner coffee shops, and its unique-to-the-Midwest progressive energy.
From St. Paul, I joined my cousin and drove north to Duluth, Minnesota. My dear cousin is getting married this summer, for which I am the maid-of-honor. Our visit to Duluth was the only opportunity before her wedding when the whole bridal party would be together to pick out the bride's maid dresses. That experience was surprisingly and thankfully painless and quick. I had a great time surrounded by the other women in my family, my mom and my two fun-loving aunts and three cousins. I consider myself very fortunate to have so many great women in my family.
I finally returned to Greenleaf for a few days to regroup and relax before my trip back to Jamaica on January 20th. Returning to Jamaica this year was much easier than last year for two big exciting reasons...1) I now have a project to work, and 2) the end of my service is near.

I first introduced my research project in the November 18, 2006 entry. Up to the time that I left for Christmas, the progress of the project was going at a slower than desired pace, so I was anxious to get some writing done while I was home. Despite this desire and good intentions, for some reason I just didn't get much done. Thankfully, within a few days of my return to Jamaica, I realized how much my vacation revitalized and refreshed me. My mind seemed clearer than ever before as my fingers cruised over the keyboard as I wrote (and wrote some more!!!) the first two chapters of my report.
A big part of my research is the questionnaire survey in order to capture some quantitative in-field data, but this also behind schedule prior leaving for Christmas. At the time, the delay didn't bother me but when I returned I started getting a little concerned about the lack of progress made in this area. Luckily, with the assistance of my supervisor, the start of February marked the beginning of the quantitative data collection. In a matter of two weeks he draft survey underwent significant revision, by health professionals and as well as tested in the field before the full-scale survey. Once the survey was ready, a team of health department personnel assisted in administering the questionnaire in the study area, and for their contribution I am deeply grateful.
I am very satisfied with the overall outcomes of the survey experience. Besides achieving a satisfactory response rate of 56%, I feel that conducting the survey gave the team an opportunity to meet and talk with the residents. I thoroughly enjoyed being in the country, talking with the residents, and deepening my understanding of Jamaica and the dire garbage situation here. I got the impression from some of the respondents that they appreciated our presence and the effort we were making to discuss the problem. I think this experience will also help down the road when it is time to work with the residents to develop a solution to the garbage situation in the area.
The survey represented a huge task; a pinnacle in the entire project that I felt had to be completed before I get to the other side. I'm thrilled to have planned and completed this crucial piece of my project. The remainder of the timeline includes data entry and analysis by the end of March, so that the results can be utilized in a timely manner by the Health Department to plan an intervention in the study area. The plan needs to be finalized in April, since I will presenting the research and the action plan at an Environmental Health research conference in mid-May. So by then, I hope to have the majority of the report written as well.
I have a lot to do in the coming months, but the pressure is a good thing since that will enable me to have the report completed by the time I leave Jamaica. My goal is to complete the requirements for my degree by mid-August, in order to graduate this summer. So far, I've been meeting my self-imposed deadlines allowing me to be optimistic about achieving my goal.

My time in Jamaica is quickly coming to a close, and it's hard to believe how quickly each week goes by and how it is already March. Peace Corps has been my life since October 2003, so I predict it will be strange to leave. I will be sad to leave Ochi Rios because it has been my home for two years, as I will be sad to say good-bye to the people I work with. I will be especially sad to say good-bye to the few very close friends I've made with other volunteers and like-minded folks in the area (you know who you are). Despite the possible tears, I am excited for what lies ahead of me, finishing up my Master's degree and beginning the next chapter, which entails entering the 'real world' and getting a job.
So once I leave Jamaica, I'll be returning to Wisconsin, where I will be finishing up my report and defending my research at Michigan Tech. Then it will be time for me to finally enter the 'real world', so sometime between September and October I will be starting employment somewhere. While I was at home in December and January I had two interviews, and both have developed into very encouraging opportunities. Both opportunities are in state of Washington, which is an encouraging sign for me to follow through with my desire to live in the Pacific NW. It's comforting to be in this position of having a few job opportunities, since I am tired of being poor - first a poor college student and then a poor Peace Corps Volunteer.
I recognize that with an income, comes responsibilities and realities, like bills and less free time. I've learned a lot while in the Peace Corps, and one important lesson that I intend to apply to my new life will be the importance of balance. Work hard, but play hard too. A balanced life is an ideal that I'm not disregarding in my effort to start my career and in my efforts to find a good job.

Well, I think that's all for now. I hope you are happy and healthy, and 2007 brings much peace and mindfulness to your life. - Jennifer
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1165192680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1165192680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1165192680/tpod.html Fri, 08 Dec 2006 08:11:08 -0500 Jamaica: A Peace Corps Chronicle Part 2

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica

I did it!! I successfully completed my first half-marathon!! I say successfully because I aimed to run the entire distance in 2 hours and 30 minutes, and I did it!!! The entire experience was truly unique. It all started at 5:15am when I crossed the starting line under a starry sky and ended at 7:45am as I crossed the finish under the bright Jamaican sun. But seems to be continuing even now.

The half-marathon results:
Finishers: 487, females: 283, males: 204
Average finishing time: 2:38:17
My overall place: 248
My division place: 21st out of 45
My place amongst other females: 96th out of 283
My official time and pace: 2:31:31 and 11:34

I'm thrilled to have reached my goal and so pleased that my training prepared me well. My body is sore today and so I'll be focusing on healing, but I am looking forward to my next run. I'm really high on life right now and will be setting my sites on another event sometime next year after I return to the states.

So many people encouraged me and kept me going during my training and the event. I was one of 4 PC volunteers that ran in the half-marathon and it was so great to have others there to understand what I was going through. Peace Corps volunteers were also a huge contributor to the high spirits in their efforts at the water and aid stations at Mile 5, 7, and 9. Big Thanks to my Ochi running buddy who also successfully complete his half-marathon. Finally, for the constant support from my family and friends (you know who you are) that have been behind me in this, my appreciation is beyond expression. Many thanks to you all.

In Peace.
Jennifer
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1163882460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1163882460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1163882460/tpod.html Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:54:38 -0500 Jamaica: A Peace Corps Chronicle Part 2

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Greetings friends and family!

The past 4 months since my last entry has been a progressive journey towards reaching two important goals that I have set to accomplish during my two years in Jamaica. Before I update you on that, I want to tell you how it feels to turn the corner and see the end of service approaching. It's hard to believe that I have been in Jamaica for 18 months, which means that I have about 9 months remaining. The expedition of Peace Corps actually is much longer, beginning the moment when I initially applied online, way back in October of 2003. So the past 3 years have been dedicated to this, making it difficult to imagine anything else, but in 9 short months (actually less than 9 months), I will be finishing this crazy, emotional ride.

To you, 9 months probably seems like a long time. Time is a strange phenomenon and each person experiences it differently, and there is a definite difference between Peace Corps time and 'real-world' time. I think most volunteers can identify with this.

Anyway, let me continue on to what I wanted to share with all of you. The main two elements of my existence right now are training for my first half-marathon and working on my research project.

The half-marathon is an event that I have wanted to do for a long time now, probably three years. Unfortunately various roadblocks have prevented me from actually achieving this goal, but not this year. On December 2nd, 2 weeks from today(!) I will be earnestly attempting my first half-marathon during the annual Reggae Marathon in Negril.

In an entry last year, I described my experience of volunteering at the event and told you all that I would run the half-marathon in 2006. The life that I'm living here really enables me to concentrate on stuff that I want to do, like running, since I definitely have the time required for the training. Granted, sometimes it was hard getting out of my cozy bed at 6am in order to beat the summer sun. Over time though training has become less of a chore and now I actually enjoy it, having a running buddy helps too. Now the mornings are cool and I feel like I'm getting rewarded for my hard work, but the real reward will be crossing the finish line in two weeks. The race starts at 5:15am EDT and I hope to finish in 2.5 hours, so please think of me during that time and send me a little energy as well.

So once I'm back from the morning run, it's a shower, some breakfast, then it's buckling down and working on my research project. The process has been long to reach a point where the topic is well defined and specific enough to accomplish while in Jamaica. In April of this year, I chose to study some aspect of the solid waste management system in Jamaica. This decision is based on my desire to develop a research project about a local concern, as well as my personal concern of its consequences on the environment.

A garbage management system is provided by the government, but littering, burning, and illegal dumping in open lots, gullies, and bodies of water are still very common practices in Jamaica. Plastic and Styrofoam containers line the roads, bags of garbage are ripped open by dogs and scattered everywhere, scurrying rats and buzzing flies and the smell can be wrenching. It's not a pretty sight, but just think about what this can do for your health, and the possibilities of air and water pollution. In reality, these practices can not be judged too harshly, considering that collection services are probably not provided in for the households. But what other choice do they have?

The research study I am undertaking is investigating a possible strategy which can reduce reliance on public garbage services and reduces the amount of waste that must be managed in the first place - The study aims to investigate the feasibility of waste reduction strategies, specifically recycling, composting, and source reduction, for rural Jamaican communities.

There isn't much to report at this point, since the study is in the initial phases. I have received so much guidance and support from my agency supervisor, who has directed me in developing a sound plan for the project. The research will hopefully be completed by early April 2007, and at that time, a Health Department project will be planned based on the findings. I don't want to bore you with the details of the planned research methodology, but if you are interested I can send you the research proposal.

The agency that I was assigned to by Peace Corps, the local Health Department is supporting the project and will be a beneficiary of the findings. The findings will be used to provide information for more efficient and effective solid waste management interventions for the benefit of public and environmental health. Well at least that is what I am hoping for. Perhaps I shouldn't jump the gun by saying that I am satisfied to know that my research will possibly be utilized in Jamaica. If that actually happens, then the aspirations I had when I joined Peace Corps, 'to make a direct positive impact,' will be fulfilled.

Well I think that is all for now. Thanks for reading, as always. I will be returning to Wisconsin on December 20th for a month break, and this time there will be more snow and no appendicitis :) I plan to ski and ski and ski and have a wonderful winter holiday at my home sweet home. If you are nearby, drop me a line.

Take care everyone, and please keep in touch. Look for an update after the half-marathon and hopefully I'll have some pictures to share too.

In peace,
Jennifer
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1153845600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1153845600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1153845600/tpod.html Tue, 25 Jul 2006 12:54:31 -0400 Jamaica: A Peace Corps Chronicle Part 2

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica

This past weekend I went on a journey to the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountain range sprawls across the eastern portion of the island for the length of 28 miles and an average width of about 12 miles and the mountains rise steeply to an elevation of over 7,000 feet. The Blue Mountain range is part of the 194,000 acre Blue Mountain and John Crow Mountain National Park, which was established in 1992 to preserve some the remaining forests and to protect the island's largest watershed. Hiking is one of my most favorite activities and I haven't been able to hike much since I arrived in Jamaica. I was also really looking forward to being in the mountains again, and the cool weather at that elevation will be a relief from the heat of the north coast.

I was going with another volunteer and her visiting friend. We left Ochi on Saturday morning, and we chose to go through Kingston to get to the town of Mavis Bank where we started our hiking. Our destination for the day was Wildflower Lodge near the small town of Penlyn Castle, from which we would set out the next day for the peak. The trail from Mavis Bank to Penlyn Castle isn't well marked but we had some instructions from other volunteers who had hiked recently. A Jamaican man offered his assistance to find the correct trail and eventually we went on without him because we didn't have money to pay him for his assistance. I guess the tour guide thing is pretty big in this area, which might explain the lack of signs to Penlyn Castle. Anyway, it was an up hill hike through lush wilderness and it provided many nice views of the surrounding hills.

Most people that live in these mountainous towns must travel by land rovers (the older versions) to get to the nearest towns that are accessible to public buses and taxis. Children that continue on with their education past primary school stay with friends and family closer to Kingston during the school year and then return to their homes in the summer. You do what you got to do. Right?? Anyway, we finally made it to our destination, a quaint lodge set on the eastern face of the hillside, which is perfect viewing of the incoming weather and sunrise over the mountains. Wildflower Lodge provides comfortably rustic accommodations for hikers, and the surroundings make up for any potential discomfort. The landscape is breathtaking, green everywhere, fluffy clouds, and cool mountain breezes. Blue Mountain coffee is grown in this area and the bushes are lined up in rows in plots dotting the hillside.

A cold shower, warm clothes, and a hot meal settled us in for the evening at the Wildflower. Our plan was to get up at 3am to begin our hike to the peak so we could see the sun rise and take in views of Jamaica below before the clouds roll in. It's recommended that hikers go with a guide, especially since the hiking commences in the dark, so we arranged for a local guide through a friend of the other volunteer on the trip. Unfortunately at 3am, that plan fell through and our guide was indispensable, so we altered our plans to begin again at the break of day. So at 6am we were on the trail, on our way to the peak. To our surprise the trail was well signed and easy to follow. In retrospect we could have started at 3am but we weren't sure what to expect. Next time I go I will feel more comfortable about hiking in the dark without a guide. The other volunteer and her friend are from the Pacific Northwest, and they agreed that the vegetation and terrain reminded them of their home. We walked past stands of pine trees, wild begonia, and ferns were abundant along the entire trail. This area receives more than 300 inches each year, which provides water to half of Jamaica's population. Together with the John Crow Mountains, this area is Jamaica's last remaining rainforest where many rare and exotic plants can be found. At times along the hike I wish I had brought a hat because the wind is quite cold as it passes over ridges. As we neared the summit, the visibility decreased and unfortunately our effort was not rewarded with the views we hoped for. Oh well, we made and we were grateful. The summit looks like many other high elevation locations in the states, with short trees, lichen, and mosses; the sign at the top states that this is "an elfin woodland."

The entire trip took about 8 hours, and we returned to Wildflower Lodge at about 2pm. We were all pretty tired from getting up early and our long hike. I spent the afternoon napping and reading and taking in the views. It was nice to have nothing really to do other than just being.

I was sad to leave that place because it offered so much peace and joy for me, hiking, observing nature, and being quiet. But duty calls, I must return to my responsibilities in Ochi. Even though I was only there for 2 days, it was an adjustment to return to the city and the heat. I definitely will go back in the next 10 months, before I leave Jamaica. If you have the opportunity to come to Jamaica, skip the resort scene and journey to the Blues, you will see the real Jamaica.

I took some photos along the way so take a look for yourself.

Take care.
Peace,
Jenni
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1153316820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1153316820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1153316820/tpod.html Wed, 19 Jul 2006 10:07:05 -0400 Jamaica: A Peace Corps Chronicle Part 2

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Greetings,

It is said that it takes about a year to "figure it all out," at least in the world of Peace Corps. Well I'm happy to report that I think I have succeeded in this. On Monday, another volunteer and I went to a local beach to relax, when this epiphany occurred to us. We were floating on the water with cold Red Stripes, when it occured to us that life can't really get much better. We have both encountered challenges with our assignments (I won't go into details), as well as difficulty in the cultural exchange aspect of Peace Corps. With that said, we are focusing now on making the most and the best of our time in Jamaica. We figured out that rather than fight against and struggle, to just go with the flow, the flow of Jamaica. Ya mon.

In other news...On Sunday I went to Portland for a Hash run. What is a Hash run you are asking? The Jamaica Hash House Harriets is a social group in Jamaica that is a part of a world wide union. It's a "drinking group with a running problem." Or is it the other way around? The JAH3 website gives all the information about the group, it is "based in Kingston, and is a family Hash representing a wide spectrum of nationalities, ranging in ages. Some of our Hashers are lean and wiry marathon runner, other well rounded marathon drinkers." The runs are on Sunday afternoons, and most of the time the routes are off road, going along narrow trails, through streams, over the hills, and through the woods. We don't normally end up at Grandma's house, but there is always ice cold Red Stripe and Ting, and food when we reach our destination.

The Hash run last weekend was in Portland, which was my second Hash run. I lost my Hash virginity at a recent Hash in St. Mary. I joined all the other virgins in chugging some beer while we were sung to by the other more experienced Hashers. I felt like I was in college again, and my beer chugging experience from MTU definitely helped in this case :)

For all of you in foreign countries, try to locate the local Hash group. They are fun and welcoming, at least in Jamaica, but I'm sure it goes for the other groups as well. The JAH3 website is http://jah3.virtualave.net/index.htm, and check out the worldwide site http://www.gthhh.com/

Portland is a beautiful place, and in my opinion it is the most beautiful parish of Jamaica. The Blue Mountains, the soft sand beaches, the coastline with its big surf...

Well, this was just a quick update, but check out some photos that I uploaded from this weekend. Enjoy.

Peace,
Jenni
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1152570540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1152570540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1152570540/tpod.html Mon, 10 Jul 2006 18:30:33 -0400 Jamaica: A Peace Corps Chronicle Part 2

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Greetings from Jamaica,

Its official, one year has past since I arrived in Jamaica. I don't think I need to remind you all how fast the time has gone. My one year anniversary was marked by the arrival the new group of trainees, Group 77, who arrived this past weekend on July 8th. I was a part of a small contingent of volunteers that were able to greet that at the airport. We made signs and waved the US and Jamaican flags, we cheered and welcomed them. It was an exciting time. The new trainees filed one by one out of the airport, lugging their big backpacks and suitcases, looking very warm, and very confused. I tried to remember how I felt when I walked off the plane a year ago, so soon after leaving Uzbekistan, I'm sure I was looking a little confused as well.

As the president of the Volunteer Advisory Council I was able to address the new trainees at the Welcome Dinner on Saturday night. I passed on some words of wisdom that have helped me in the past throughout my Peace Corps service. They were, "take one day at a time", "be willing to be flexible with your expectations", and "have fun." I was nervous to be speaking to them, but I was excited for the opportunity to pass on some volunteer knowledge and experience.

The weekend was exhausting, I answered a million questions, and probably talked too much, but I had such a great time meeting the new trainees. They seem like a very enthusiastic group, ready for whatever is thrown their way. I look at them and wonder who will be in Ochi, and who will become my new friends. This opportunity to be in their presence, their unbiased presence has been renewing and invigorating for a "veteran" volunteer that has seen and gone through a lot here. Perhaps I'll start seeing Jamaica from their point of view, a rediscovery of the beauty and uniqueness.

I'm thrilled for them, to begin this journey, but I'm happy for myself that I don't have to go through training again. I'm also very content that I can come back home to Ochi with one year behind me and the best to come.

As I close, I'd like to thank all of you who have ever given me encouragement and fresh perspective, especially my mom and dad, Larry, Rob, Leah and Jane, Heather, Stephanie Horn, Drew, Lee, Lisa, Jim and Kurt...thank you.

Peace,
Jenni

One Love
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1147371180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1147371180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1147371180/tpod.html Fri, 23 Jun 2006 08:34:51 -0400 Jamaica: A Peace Corps Chronicle Part 2

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Well, 4 months have passed since my last entry. Hopefully I haven't left you in suspense. I think the reason for not writing was due to the lack of good material, life was pretty normal and steady, nothing too exciting to report on. Recently though, freshness and change are the themes.
On April 29, I turned 26 years old!! When I was younger, early 20's, I thought by the time I was 26, my career would be at least in it's early stages, I'd have a job, maybe a husband. The overall impression I had of being 26 was having my own life, writing a new chapter where I am out of the nest and away from the security of college. When I joined Peace Corps I thought was postponing those events, but in the grand scheme of the universe, I AM writing a new chapter, probably a better chapter than I originally designed for myself. My career IS beginning; each day and each experience here is being stored to help me in the future.
A few weeks ago, I came to the realization that I really like my life right now, as it is in Jamaica as a Peace Corps volunteer. I have a lot of flexibility with my job assignment, allowing me time to come and go as I please. I love those days that I just work at home, at my own pace, in the comfort of my space, and not to mention I make better coffee than the office. (Side note: Jamaica makes world class coffee, Blue Mountain, but the Jamaicans drink the instant coffee, yuck. I understand why, but it doesn't make sense to me.) I am very fortunate to have a supervisor that allows me my freedom; he is very "hands off" and I appreciate that. I think the majority of volunteers have a stricter schedule, where they either go to the office or they must call in. The situation at my office just doesn't support my presence there every day since I no longer have a guaranteed work space. I do consider myself a fortunate PCV because I do have access to a computer more days than not, which isn't always the case in lesser developing countries where PCVs are working. Jamaica is still developing in many ways, but computers, telephones, faxing are all accessible communication tools. As a volunteer in Jamaica where these tools and resources exist it is difficult not to use them or have access to them, which is why my office situation is very frustrating to me. In an effort to alleviate this frustration, I decided to purchase a laptop. It was a big step for me; a computer is a lot of money and a lot of technology that I am not accustomed to. I bought the bullet and immediately felt relief to have decreased my dependency on my agency for these tools.
To go along with my new computer, I also moved into a new apartment. I decided I wanted my own space in February when my roommate had gone back to the states for about a month and I was all by myself in the apartment. I loved the peace and solitude that it afforded me. I knew it would take a few months to go through the approval process with Peace Corps, so I planned to move the first week in May. I already had a place picked out and I was so excited for May to arrive, and surprisingly, the months went quickly. I successfully and joyously moved on May 2nd. I am now living by myself, in a quaint one bedroom apartment. My good friend, Lee lives upstairs and another friend Mary lives close as well. The buildings are surrounded by a big garden containing fruit trees, flowering plants, and cacti, situated on top of a hill so we get many nice breezes. I now look forward to going home. I hope to finish my service in this apartment.

A big breath of fresh air blew in when my parents arrived in Jamaica on April 22nd. This would be their first visit Jamaica, and I was thrilled to see them and show them around. I looked forward to the vacation as well, to be tourist where I struggle with mistaken identity as a white person in a tourist town. Before their arrival, I wondered what Jamaica will look like from this different perspective and I wondered how my parents would find it.
From the airport in Montego Bay, we traveled to Negril in a monstrous bus that rose above the other traffic and swallowed the narrow highway. My mom was sitting by the window and she let out a few yelps when it seemed we would hit another car or scrape along the rock wall as we careened down the road. In my volunteer life, I often see these buses traveling down Main St. in Ocho Rios carrying "whitees" to and from their plush hotels. (excuse my sarcasm) I wondered what it was like for them to look down through the tinted glass, on the real Jamaica just out of their reach. Sitting in the air-conditioned bus with my parents, I got to watch them as they took in the sites, as we passed through the small towns and along the landscape between. The bus stopped once to allow everyone to get a cold drink. I was ready to pay much more than the local price for a Red Stripe, but this establishment was really making it off the tourists. I want to say, "More power to him." But what can be said for a society that seems to value the American dollar more than their own?
Once I got into the rhythm of being on vacation, I was able to just enjoy myself and the company of my parents. It isn't every day that I get to spend time with them, so I decided to forget about work and volunteer life for the week, and I chose to be a tourist. Granted I did use my knowledge and experience to get good deals and nice places to stay but that was it.
At the resort in Negril, we sailed and snorkeled, and had our share of rum drinks. After 4 days at the resort, we were all ready to see something else, something more real and spontaneous. We traveled to Ochi; my parents were able to see my old apartment and my new one in Ochi. My friend Lee had us over for drinks at her place, so my parents met two other good friends, Kelly and Cathy. We just hung out in Ochi, didn't do too much. Their last day was in Montego Bay, at an old estate turned hotel called the Richmond Hill. This unique place sits above Montego Bay and was the old estate of a Scottish family that owned Dewar's Scotch in Jamaica. The buildings appear to be original containing the original floor and ceiling and furniture, stepping into one of the rooms was, stepping out of 2006 and into the 1800s.
My parents left on my birthday, April 29th, but that's OK, I had a whole week of celebration. It's just another day right?? Many of my friends in Jamaica sent birthday wishes, and many loved ones called to say happy birthday. Thank you, Heather, Uncle Steve, and Stephanie Horn. One love.

As I close, I'd like to say that at this point in my service, as a result of a few events, I feel more at peace and more content with my position in life and in the world. My research is taking shape now too, but I'll give you the details of that in my next update, I've written enough for today. Thanks for reading.

Peace
Jen
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1149126060/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1149126060/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jennipost/jamaica/1149126060/tpod.html Wed, 31 May 2006 21:43:20 -0400 Jamaica: A Peace Corps Chronicle Part 2

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Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Greetings to my dear friends and family.

As I write this, it is about 7:30am in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. One year ago today, June 1, 2005 I left.

Nothing else needs to be said, I just felt I needed to publicly acknowledge the time I was able to spend there. Please take a moment to think about all those people around the world, everywhere that can't leave when times get tough.

Give Thanks.

Peace
Jen
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