My GanGan would be so proud

Check out the homemade peach pies I made for a dessert party at Keeley's. I think my GanGan would be proud.

"Hello. I live here."

The title of this blog is a quote from Carrie Bradshaw in the movie Sex and the City. I love to use this quote as I experience life here in Dominica. Sometimes I use this quote to express how amazed I am at the natural beauty of our new island home. As you can tell from the pictures, we are living in somewhat of a paradise. "Hello! I live here!" But I sometimes use these words when I witness something here that is absolutely hilarious or ridiculous. For example, a grown, naked woman bathing (and dancing) in a river next to a very busy shopping area or a cow blocking my path on my walk home. "Hello. I live here." It is truly comical some of the things that happen on this island, or maybe I should say don't happen. There is no rhyme or reason for anything here.

One of the many cows that interfere with my walk home. Sorry I didn't get a picture of the naked lady dancing.

It has been exactly a month since the last post. Carson and I have been very busy. Carson has been studying tirelessly over the last month. He is in class or studying 16 hours a day! But all his hard work was rewarded when he received his scores on Mini 2. He did wonderfully! I am so proud of him!
I, on the other hand, am busy in a different way. I am trying to fully experience Dominica. In a little over a month, I will begin teaching and I will no longer have loads of free time. So I am trying to squeeze all I can in this next month.

Here are a few pictures of our experiences here in Dominica.


I went on a trip with Ross Spouses Organization to Aba Wavine. I heard that it was a hard and steep climb in and out, but the beach was worth the difficulty. All I have to say is that I am glad I had some experience climbing. I had to descend about 500 feet straight down to the beach. I climbed down using tree roots and ropes that looked like they had been there for many years. Having a slight fear of heights did not make this descent any easier. But I made it and the view was beautiful. This black sand beach is on the Atlantic side of Dominica. While hiking in, our guide showed us a local fruit of Dominica. This fruit is one of the worst things I have ever smelled. My friend Colby named it the Stink Ass fruit. I am sure it has a real name. Our guide said that scientists were studying this fruit hoping it could aid in the cure of cancer.

Aba Wavine waterfall and the beautiful black sand beach

Aba Wavine waterfall


Stink Ass fruit

Colby "eating" Stink Ass fruit

Carson and I took an afternoon trip to Roseau. Roseau is the southern most town in Dominica. It is about 25 miles away, but takes about 45 minutes to get there due to the poor quality of the roads. We borrowed our friend Jim's car and headed to Roseau.

I think Carson would agree that this trip to Roseau was the scariest ride we have ever had. We had to deal with bad roads, a crappy stick shift car, driving on the left side of the road, crazy drivers, and livestock on the side of the road. And we ran over a baby goat!! It was quite a traumatic experience.

This was Carson's first trip to Roseau, so we toured around the city for a bit. We then went and ate at KFC. It was absolutely delicious! We then went to my favorite place in Roseau, Rituals. Rituals is the Dominican version of Starbucks. After a quick coffee, we headed back to Picard. The ride back was a little less scary.

street vendors in Roseau

me walking in Roseau

Carson driving the right hand drive Escudo

My Dominican Starbucks


KFC and market

Sundays, for the locals of Dominica, are reserved for church, village parties, and a weekly bath(in the river or ocean). One Sunday morning, my landlord, Jx, invited me and a few of my "spouse" friends to go with him to a party on the beach. After gathering the troops, we jumped into his fishing boat and headed to the Secret Beach. This beach is only accessible by boat and has amazing reefs where you can snorkel.

We had an eye opening day at Secret Beach. We learned how to catch and cook snails, octopus, and crab. We learned that seaweed and bat stew work as well as Viagra. We got this information from the locals. I also was told that my husband has a girlfriend on the side, because that is every male's nature to be with more than one woman. Needless to say, it was a very interesting afternoon. ( Carson wants everyone to know that he doesn't have a girlfriend on the side.)

The boat that we road to Secret Beach. There were no seats.


Rob Madison with an iguana

Lunch: fresh from the ocean

Rob heading into the underwater cave. The only way in was through this little opening. It was a tight squeeze!

Brave girls in the cave
Keeley, me, and Jo

Our most recent outing was a couple's trip to Bense Falls. The students took a break last Sunday morning to experience my favorite spot here in Dominica. Bense Falls is a small water fall that pours into a crystal, clear pool in the jungle. This pool has rocks on each side that are perfect for jumping and you can slide down the falls on the smooth rocks. We had a wonderful time. It was a needed and well deserved outing for us all.

The hike to Bense Falls

hiking through the jungle

Luke Midlo trekking in the jungle



our transport driver, Victor, doing a flip off the rocks at Bense Falls

Although we are having wonderful adventures and making amazing new friends, we terribly miss home and you all. We will be home for 10 days in August. We can't wait! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. See you all soon!