Paging Jaders! Caribbean Princess...

[surfgirl]

Jaders, I just wondered if you''re comfy telling us what you do that you''re living in T&C...if not, that''s cool. I ask because I''m working on a health project in the eastern caribbean and while the office is in Trinidad (not much going on there except alot of jerk chicken and steel pan music!), I''ll be heading back next month to: Barbados, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Vincent & the Grenadines (Bequia, to be exact), for the field work. Any thoughts on those places? Any must see things. I dont know what if any free time we''ll have but if there''s anything we should do/see/eat, please tell me...thanks dear!

 

[Jaders731]

Awww Surfgirl.. I think thats the first time I''ve ever been paged...thanks

OK.. I work for a construction management firm that is a joint venture of both a US and a Nassau co. Currently we are building a resort in Provo, and I am the Office manager.. so basically I pay the bills.. fight off the vendors looking to get paid. I also deal with the government with regards to work permits and national insurance, as well as organize and keep track of all materials ordered for the site, including handling all shipping/duty/brokerage.

Its a really unique job, for which I was originally was denied a work permit, because the gov''t thought that a "belonger" (what they call a citizen of Turks and Caicos) could do my job... but once we explained to them that my job was WAY more involved than just writing a check and balancing the bank acct. they reconsidered. but not after making me pay a HEFTY fee for my work permit. UGhhhhh...

My college degree is in political science, so it is a REAL treat to live in another country and study their political system in my free time. (One of my senior thesis - I did two!!!! was on politics in the Caribbean with specific attention to Haiti and the DR which is only 90 miles from here!!) There was an election here early this year.. and man.. let me tell you.. what an experience.. interesting to say the least.

Surfgirl, I saw on your blog that you were in Trinidad.. how cool is that. I wish I could offer even a fraction of advice on the other islands that you will be visiting, but unfortunately, I''ve been pretty stationary since I moved here. Hopefully my company will get another project on another island.. but that remains to be seen.

I will tell you that one of the greatest presents I gave to myself was getting certified in SCUBA. If you are even remotely interested in this... I would urge you to get certified. The places that you are visiting have some of the MOST amazing diving in the world... it would be an experience that you would NEVER regret... and if you are certified.. get in the water woman!!! Its amazing, in a world that seems to be overrun by politics, and war, drugs, poverty, corruption... its AMAZING to put yourself into a different world and forget about the nonsense going on everywhere else. I find it to be a great distraction... especially when your mind goes into political science overload, which mine does quite often.

As far as caribbean food goes... I''m currently still hooked on the peas and rice, which you are right (from your blog) that is made with coconut milk... YUMMY, check the menu and see if you can manage to track down some peas and rice with conch or pig tail or oxtail or lobster.. those are always a fave on the island... also the Jerk.. well correct me if I am wrong.. you are veggie? or try to be a veggie because of your Fi.??? I always get a kick out of trying the different types of Jerk my fave is Jerk chicken.... and of course.. a lot of these islands main source of protein is Conch (pronounced ConK, not Con-ch)... if you want to try that out.. I would TOTALLY suggest it!!! I''ve also gotten hooked on the potato based conch chowder, and holy lord the fritters!!!mmmmm... One last thing on the food front... Caribbean lobster...!!! its lobster season here in the Caribbean (August 1 - March 31).. and it is tooo die for.. a great protein, very low in fat (if you skip the melted butter).. Like I said.. its been Lobster season for about 7 days now.. and I''ve had lobster 5 times already.. ha!

I wish I could give you tips on what to see and do for your next trip, unfortunately, I just dont know anything about those islands.. I wish your project was sending you to T&C to check out their health system!!! I have to say.. while I am impressed with some things... others leave not a whole lot to be desired.. for example.. WHY on earth do they not offer epidurals for women in labor!!! good grief

Sorry I cant offer too much advice.. I hope I helped a little bit.

 

[surfgirl]

Thanks for all that info Jaders! You saw from my blog that I''m food-oriented when I travel

I will absolutely try any and all lobster in my path, and am very keen to try conch chowdah as I LOVE chowder in general. Yes, you''re right, I basically dont eat meat anymore as the Mr. is lacto-veg (eats dairy but no eggs). However, I have a weakness for shrimp/prawns, lobster, crab cakes, etc. Not big on clams, etc but if they''re in chowder I''ll make an exception. And conch fritters sound to die for! Do they make lobster fritters, I wonder? That would be heavenly. I''ll be on the lookout for sure. Thanks for the crustacean heads up...

I''ll let you know how it goes out there and you know where to go for daily or near-daily updates, though I dont know how much internet connection I''ll have.

Oh, and regarding your comment about epidurals...well, it''s the obvious reasons - men make most of the decisions on policy in that region. And women are "built for delivery and therefore can deal with the pain" (again, male [mis]perceptions!), and possibly also because of a lack of consistent access to what might be misconstrued as "luxury" drugs? Just three guesses based on experience in such settings. Sad, I know but that''s how it is I''m afraid.

Thanks for explaining what you do...Lucky island girl!