Rainy Morning

So it's a rainy morning here in Jamaica.  I just got a call that school has been canceled so all I have to do today is go over the cooks house and help him with his computer.  Thankfully he has a car so is going to pick me up.  Mr. Core the cook is a great friend to have as he hooks me up daily with a huge tasty lunch that makes dinner unnecessary.  This is a man who can have all the computer repair services he needs!  The last few weeks have been mostly uneventful.  The school has been keeping me busy as they received 55 or so new computers and a second server.  They sent the 2nd server already configured so all we had to do was put the old server on the new network and then put all the current computers on that network as well.  That is a bigger job because now that we have a stronger network from the fiber optic connections that were finally installed, I have to put computers that never made it on the first network on it as well.  Then of course we have to clean up those old computers before installing..... oh well boring stuff to most anyway that's whats been keeping me busy.  The after school teacher class is going well, I feel lucky for that class because it satisfies my Peace Corps goals and leaves me time to do the work that the school really wants me to do, be a computer tech.

Other than that I had a nice trip to Ocho Rios and had a tasty burger (a rare treat) and hung out with some fellow volunteers.  I'm trying to plan a little something to celebrate my birthday at the end of the month, but it's becoming complicated.  I might just settle for a few friends over and to cook some nice food and watch a movie.  I find that I am spending way to much of my own money so have to find ways to chill on that.  I might need every penny that I have when I come back, looking at the job market and hearing stories from people back home.

My project to start a digital camera club at the school got a nice boon as I received a few more cameras from my old company.  Thanks guys!  I'll be sending personal thank yous soon to the folks that donated.  I just need a couple more and I'll be ready to start.  I've been talking to some of the kids and received some interest.  I've created an outline of the lesson plans, got an ok from the principal, so now I'm almost ready to go!  I find that alot of my creative juices get zapped here from daily life so this project is moving slower than I would like.

Well that's it for now.  I need to get ready for my repair job to keep getting double helpings of lunch!

Home

So my trip to America was pretty bizarre.  The Peace Corps recommends that volunteers don't go home for the first year and I got an idea why that recommendation exists.  After living pretty simply here, ok maybe some here live more simply than I do, but for me, I live simply here.  Anyway going from that simple lifestyle and heading to the craziness of Ft. Lauderdale for New Years was pretty mind blowing.  My friend's beautiful home on the intercoastal with his amazing boat and a huge keg of my favorite beer, the variety of food and the monster supermarkets almost short circuited my brain.  It was bliss, but it also reminded me how much all of that bliss could have bought some new computers for the school, or funded a lunch program for a 1000 kids or so...  The perspective I have gained here far surpasses any perspective that I thought I already had.  Working at a country club for weddings and seeing all the food being wasted every day and thinking that "hey somebody is starving somewhere and could really use this..." doesn't compare to actually being physically next to people who are REALLY poor.  This affected me more than I thought it would, and made the experience back home really just "weird".  Don't get me wrong I had a great time and I loved seeing my friends and especially my family.  I just didn't feel at home anymore.  That was a really weird part as well, Jamaica has become my home, and when I was back in the Bay Area, it didn't feel like home.  Now for somebody who has never really lived away from the bay, that's just a mind blower.  So if you saw me when I was visiting and I seemed a little "off" that's what was going on in my head.  When I'm done with my service and I move back to the states I'm wondering how I'm going to feel.  I guess it will just take some time to get readjusted.

To my friends and family, please don't take any of that the wrong way.  You all made me feel so missed and welcomed back, this is just an experience that's all new to me.

Kids

Yesterday I was walking home from the bus park on my way back from a Peace Corps meeting in Kingston and some cute 7 year old(ish) girls came up to me and asked if I wanted to play dominoes with them.  Well at first I thought they were asking me for money (through the thick Patwa accents) and I was so glad I hadn't immediately dismissed them as kids begging for money.  I then remembered that I had met them before and had actually played dominoes with them.  I couldn't play as we had pizza at the office and my home was a callin' (for those who know me you know what I'm saying...) but I smiled and said, "Next Time".  It really struck me how wonderful it is that I can sit and play dominoes with some kids and not have everyone immediately assume that I'm some sort of pervert.  I can smile and wave and kids walking by and even stop and talk to them.  Younger and older kids stop me on the road and say "Mr. Candido!  Wat a gwan!" (whats going on) I can stop and chat with them for a while and their parents will smile and nod, not giving me a look questioning my intentions.  I have it say that it's just great!  There are growing issues with child molestation in Jamaica and I think the independence of small children can be a contributing factor, but the experience reminds me of when I was a kid and could walk to school alone.  It's quite an interesting topic for debate, whether to become more like America where everyone is paranoid protecting their kids, or leave it like it is in Jamaica now.  It's hard to say what is better, but I sure do enjoy being able to greet a child without wondering if somebody is thinking I have evil intentions.

Catch Up

Sorry about the delay in creating posts, it's been eventful and uneventful.  Some of the eventful times was heading to Negril for Thanksgiving.....

Rick's Cafe'  A big tourist spot in Negril where you can cliff jump (at your own risk...) and blend in

I have to say that Negril is my favorite spot on the island so far.  The pluses are beautiful beaches, nice American style restaurants, cheap (and nice) hotels and some of my favorite people on the island.  After a long bus trip my road companion and I were greeted to 2 for 1 rum punches at a cool little bar on the ocean, the fall weather was perfect warm without much humidity and a small reunion of volunteers made the night special.  I met some new friends, a cool visitor from the states as well as a really nice British ex pat who's family owns a couple shops in town.  We migrated to his bar and enjoyed a couple of Jamaica's finest.  I made it an early night and went to my hotel which was this great and affordable place on the ocean.  LTU is very Peace Corps friendly offering a discount and a great staff.  Their eatery offers an ocean view and GREAT food.  The room was great and the hot water and A/C a treat!  

The next day we went over to the couple hosting the Thanksgiving dinner who by the way are probably everybody's favorite people on the island.  B&E are really some of the finest people I have ever met, and made this volunteer feel welcome and with family.  The day was spent preparing for the dinner, purchasing, chopping, BBQing and baking, and the group of us then settled in for a classic turkey day experience with all the trimmings.  Everyone gave their thanks in a circle for a toast and I really felt that I was so lucky and thankful to have this Peace Corps family.  With my fellow volunteer's support (plus support from back home!) I feel I'm going to make it these two years and make some difference.

That night we went to Rick's Cafe' and some people did the Cliff diving, "at your own risk" should have been bigger because I think a couple people came out of it with some bruises...  The next day was a lazy day and I was able to explore a really beautiful beach called Half Moon Bay which reminded me of home.   Overall this was the best time I have had here in Jamaica and solidified many friendships here.

Christmas Festivities.........

The town's "Christmas Treat" is a yearly event sponsored by the Business Association that I have become involved with.  300 or so children under the age of 7 gathered at one of the town's churches for food, music, small gifts and Santa!

I live in a city where many major agriculture industries have left within the last 10 years or so and it has decimated the place.  Ramshackle houses line the side streets and desperately poor people fight to make a living.  The Christmas Treat for many of these kids was their ownly chance for a little holiday cheer.  I was so glad that I could be apart of the organization and implementation.  My co-volunteer Jessica and I recruited some additional man/woman-power so thanks again to Amy, Bill & Gail!  The Jamaican corporations Grace Kennedy and National both provided free food and costumed characters for our event.  There was a paraide down the main road with these folks, a bunch of balloon carying kids and Santa out the sun-roof of a SUV.  This led into a really nice party, where after Santa left the kids kept asking me if I was Santa.  I would reply "Ho Ho Ho" and their faces would light up!  Being mobed by 50 or so little kids was quite the experience and at one point I felt like the Beatles, running away with them chasing me!  The party was a complete success and the president of the Association should be proud.  Pam looks out for us and always hooks us up with treats at her shop along with a word of encouragement.

The Tree Lighting.......

A couple weeks later the first annual town Christmas Tree lighting occurred in our fair city.  Sorry about not having any pictures, but it happened at night and nothing came out.  This event was far less planned but I think even more successful.  After worries that the tree's ornaments and lights would be stolen by the town folk, the project pressed on and we were donated a 15' tree by the member of Parliament.  All of the area churches were invited to participate lending their congregations for entertainment.  So the day of the event, we decorated the tree, backed up a flatbed truck for a stage, and prepared the town square for an evening of carols, and distinguished guests including the member of Parliament, the parish Mayor and the Custos. (The representative of the Governor General of Jamaica)  Around 250 community members came to sing and see the show, and I'm happy to report that almost two weeks later, all the decorations are still on the tree!

Christmas Eve....

Today is Christmas Eve and I will be heading off to spend time with some of my fellow PCVs and then tomorrow go to a church service (first time in how many years??????) and spend Christmas Day with a Jamaican family.  I'm thankful for my friends here and at back home and especially my family who I will miss dearly.  It's weird that and old man like me is having his first Christmas away from home and it certainly feels strange, but you will be in my heart.

School

So working in a high school has been hard, even though my job is to not work with the students I have interactions every day. Some of those interactions are nice, most are challenging. Challenging to understand the language, I practice as much as I can, but when somebodies talking fast forget about it! Challenging to interact with high school kids, kids are kids all over the world and teenagers......oh boy..... Challenging um yeah nuff' said.

I have implemented a new web content filtering program at the school which I think will help things. I reviewed the log of those blocked sites today and was amazed on how many porn sites got blocked. The majority of the sites were gay sites. I'm in the middle of showing the Principle and Guidance counselors this information to encourage some support for the hidden gay community at the school. If looking (or attempting to look) at pornography at the school is their only outlet to express their identity, there needs to be a change. As homophobia is king in Jamaica I'm assuming it will have to be a very slow process.

Turkey Day for me will be spent in Negril with some fellow volunteers. I'm going to have a solo dinner tomorrow but will be thinking of my family and missing one of my favorite holidays. Hope you all had a great dinner and always welcome your e-mails and wishes.

Arachnophobia and Jamaica

So people who have lived with me and some others know of my issues with spiders. They have mellowed over the years as when I was a kid I was terrified, but grew with just a severe dislike. I'm able to kill them or sweep them out the door. I have to say tonight was my worst experience ever! I got home after spending the day in "Town" (Kingston) and turned on my bedroom light to find a HUGE spider crawling on the ceiling. I was talking on the phone at the time to Summer and was like "Oh my god there's a huge spider on my wall" But I don't think I was in freak mode or anything. So thinking a sweep or even a squish would deal with it as I didn't want the spider falling on my bed, I got out my trusty bug spray and started at the MAMMOTH spider. It took a lot of spray as the spider was so GIGANTIC it could take a hit, but I could tell he was slowing down. So then the COLOSSAL spider got his final revenge. The bastard hovered on the ceiling right over my bed and dropped around 100 baby spiders EVERYWHERE! Then it dropped this weird white sac where I guess the babies were living. I screamed like a 6 year old girl!!!!!!!!!!!!! Baby spiders where everywhere, I sprayed everywhere, I cursed and screamed while Summer had me on speaker phone with her kids listening, chaos and pandemonium reined. With what I hope was the last baby spider killed, I went up stairs to tell the story to my host family and their friends that were visiting. To add to my defeat the entire group raged with laughter! "They can't hurt you Jason! They aren't the kind that bite!" I laughed as well as it was pretty funny, and to the families credit they offered me some clean sheets to use for the night.

Now I'm trying to come down from my horror movie experience by drinking a good ol' Red Stripe and sharing the experience with you.

I survived

Phew!

Obama & Jamaica

I Shaved my head!

I have always secretly wanted to do this so two weekends ago I went for it. Thanks to Shanna for the clippers. I have to say it may not look the best, but with the wind blowing in the taxi ride jacking up my hair, it is a Jamaica smart "do"

As a Peace Corps Volunteer you are supposed to stay out of politics, period. I have found that to be next to impossible this week with all of my Jamaican friends and strangers wanting to know if I voted and who I voted for. Surprisingly to me, everyone thinks I voted the opposite of who I actually voted for. They seem to be surprised when I just say "I can't talk about politics" with a HUGE grin on my face. Sorry Peace Corps but I guess I'm not that good an actor as whoever I'm talking to gets the picture. All I can say on this blog is that I had a REALLY good week. Why? Oh for no reason.......... Normally the policy makes perfect sense as conversations about politics here can get heated. Boy what a great week this was......

Halloween was last weekend and I went to a super fun gathering mixed with PCVs and Jamaicans alike. With my new hair cut I went as Joe the Plumber of course, sporting a plunger and as close to plumber gear as I could find. The house was right on the beach and a great time was had by all.


Other than that, life is settling down here a bit. A week from Monday we are meeting up with our group of volunteers for a few days to go over our experiences so far and to talk about what happens next. I'm looking forward to it.