Mt. Carmel!

Wednesday the SO took a trip to Mt. Carmel... which is in St. Andrews about an hour away (we live in St. George's.. on the very southwestern tip) millage wise, it was probably like 10 miles or something (the island is only 20 miles long total!) but because we drive on crazy little roads that go up mountains and around crazy curves and the top speed is probably 40mph.... it took an hour.

It was well worth it though.  I sat in the front seat of the taxi/van to avoid getting claustrophobia or sick, so I got to see a lot of the countryside and the drive told lots of interesting stories.
The driver was a young guy, probably in his mid 20s.  Had he been born in America he would have been an actor or musician or famous athlete or just plain good looking.... and here he drives a taxi and owns chickens. and he's probably doing really well for himself by their standards. and he is. he was  very nice.

He told me the reason why there was a repulsive smell at one point was because there was a sugar cane factory that shut down one day and left all the sugar cane to rot! uuuuuuugh who knew sugar could smell so bad.
He pointed out some small houses that were given to squatters who lived on government land in St. George's.... and they put them FAR from St. George's. I still don't understand how people get up to these homes, even though he said there were roads.

He told me about rum, the schools, where the rich people live, about owning chickens, mangoes... and laughed at us a lot.... foolish Americans, and Canadians, and lots of other nationalities :)

Everywhere you look here there is an awesome view... the highway runs pretty close to the shoreline because it is so mountainous in the center of the country.  Every time I see the ocean over a hill or around a curve I'm still amazed.

Once we got to Mt. Carmel we hiked to a gorgeous waterfall.

and got under it! 

 

 

 this was supposed to be our panteen pro-v commercial :)

 

 

Sarah, Me, Cristina, Sherry, and Amber... fellow SOs 

Then we hiked to another waterfall not far away... Grenada is over flowing with beauty. I cannot believe so much is contained on one small 20X12 island!

 

lots of people slid down these falls like a slide.... but I didn't.

I was chicken.
I partially regret it and partially feel like if I had gone, I would have been the one to get hurt.

I don't like to take unnecessary risks. especially in foreign countries. and especially when Lee's not around. 

but everyone else had a good time! and we'll go again in the fall so I may go then.... 

Once we came out of the jungle (and yes it is literally a jungle) we saw another amazing view 

aaahhhh I love Grenada.

St. George's

Today the SOs went down to St. George's which is the capital of Grenada... It was the first time that I had been since we got here... and it's only like 5 miles away!
We took the Reggae Bus down... it's more like a van than a bus and it only cost $2.50EC!
I got very, very, very claustrophobic in the bus though, I was in the very back, the windows were tinted, it was jammed full, and then we went through a TUNNEL. and we stopped in the tunnel. I honestly almost had a panic attack... it would have been quite embarrassing. but I lived.

We went to the mall, which was just very touristy and expensive, I did get 3 postcards for $1.. and a delicious guava smoothie! I am becoming obsessed with guava.

Then we went to the market area where they have fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, spices, and lots of other stuff. I got some what I believed to be sweet potatoes, but then found out were yams, and yes they are different.  Yams are grown in south america, the caribbean, and africa... and are much sweeter than sweet potatoes and a bit dryer in texture... and the ones I got today were white inside!
We had them for dinner and they were so good! we didn't even need to add brown sugar, just a little butter and they were perfect.
I also got star fruit.  I don't really know how to describe the taste, kinda like a grape, kinda like an apple, and kinda not. but good.. and I got a whole bag for $3EC!  and they look pretty when you cut them.
We also went to a hardware-ish store called something that starts with a P, that had kitchen essentials, which we were all very happy to find a little cheaper than most places.  I got another pitcher, so we can have tea and koolaid and water! a big bowl for mixing stuff, 2 microwave & freezer safe storage containers, some sponges, lotion, shampoo and conditioner.  and they had fabric! I want to make curtains for our room sometime.

Did I mention it was really hot today? I was a sweaty mess.

once we got back to Grand Anse, Sherry (a girl I am so happy I met today!) and I walked up to the movie theater shopping center to check it out.  On Wednesdays you can watch a movie for $7.50EC, so maybe if we plan really well Lee and I can go to a movie this Wednesday!

and then I came home and did 4 loads of laundry. 4! how do two people get 4 loads in just a few days??

so here is a photo recap of the market :)

my finds. real VO5 shampoo for $5EC! lotion, dish soap, the pitcher, bowl, starfruit, yams... 

 

this guy just walked in at the perfect time. he's very Grenadian =)