“Aren’t you excited?”
i took Maddy to the vet yesterday to have the last of her necessary bloodwork drawn. at one point the vet asked me, “this must be so exciting for you. aren’t you excited?” and i sort of answered, “well, i guess so. i just came back from Africa and this hasn’t really sunk in yet.”
“well, i think it’s very exciting,” he said. and i felt chastised. like i wasn’t enthusiastic enough.
so, i’ve decided to get excited. which means i’m looking up information on weather and food and currency and snorkeling and looking at satellite images of the area of the island i will be living on. in the process, i’m also getting sucked into looking at incredible island villas that rent for $3000US/night(!). Nevis looks gorgeous and perfect. and yes, i’m getting excited.
i already researched a lot of the island when i decided to attend MUA, but here are a few of the new things i learned today:
size
i had read somewhere that Nevis’ 36 square miles were inhabited by 10,000 people, but had a hard time imagining how small that really is. another website informed me that the island is only 7 miles long and 5 miles wide! definitely no need for a car, although a bike might be nice!
food
hot sauces, fresh local honey, plantains, and breadfruit are just a few of the local goodies available at the City Market in Charlestown. i’m also looking forward to the (fresh!) seafood, classic West Indian, and Creole dishes.
weather
just came in from a walk with Maddy and Vancouver is dripping all over the place. how much does it rain on Nevis and when??
apparently, most of the year is dry and hot, with little variation between seasons. summer runs from May to October and temperatures range (day to night) between low-30s (Celcius) and mid-20s. winter is a few degrees cooler in November to April, but there is still very little rain. apparently one day per month is considered “rainy”. sounds more like “ideal” to me.
June through November is hurricane season, but they seem to be relatively few and far between. and it looks like there is a great weather network available. no storms today!
beaches
Pinney’s beach is along the west coast just north of Charlestown and reputed to be the most beautiful beach on the island. it seems to be an all-around perfect spot with shallow waters safe for swimming, decent winds for windsurfing, and a bit of a party scene for celebrity-spotting.
i will be living on the north end of the island and remind you that even though the Mount Nevis Hotel and the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club are nearby, i will have a spare bedroom in my house. : D
just about 5 weeks till we leave. yup, excited!
————
*photo and some info from CaribbeanWay
July 17th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Wow,I just looked over the links. Seems like you’ve gone from a tourist destination in Africa (Vic Falls) to one in the Caribbean!
I can see why you aren’t completely jumping up and down. You’re gonna have to study… it’s back to school for you!
(And saying that, I realized Africa was all work!)
Be a little excited. You’ll actually have “no” snow next winter!
July 17th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
hmmmmm … how long are you there again and how long will it take me to save up enough for a visit .. that is the real question ;-) it sure looks like paradise …
July 17th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Expect visitors next February! *LOL* :-)
July 18th, 2007 at 11:53 am
my bags are already packed. :p
but really, looks like you’ll have plenty of reasons to take a break from your studies and hit the beach. or will you already be doing most of your studying from underneath a palm tree, on the sand, frosty beverage in hand?
July 19th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
my favorite beach was the one behind the race track. but i think others liked paradise beach the most. ask dr. d for the best snorkeling places!
July 25th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Have you set up online scheduling for the spare bedroom yet?
July 28th, 2007 at 11:05 am
I lived in the Virgin Islands for a little over 8 years. It was a wonderful experience. After living there a few years people asked, “what exactly do you do there?” The short answer was, “Doing the B’s”
Go to the Boat
Go to the Beach
Go to the Biz
Go to the Bar
Go to Bed
Couple of thoughts:
After you have been on island a few weeks you may be tempted to talk in the dialect/patois. Don’t do it.
Locals run things. Continentals have the money. Each group has what the other wants. Read the paper. Watch local government in action. It is an interesting dynamic.
It is ALWAYS a good idea to start a conversation with:
Good morning/afternoon/evening/night
Older locals… 60s, 70s, 80s… are some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet.
As for many of the younger… not so much.
Since you will be there for several years, after a while you will feel the need to “get of the rock”…often. Off-Island trips are important. That doesn’t necessarily mean go to another rock. Be sure to schedule trips to larger cities Miami, Caracas, etc.
Don’t let the above prevent you from visiting other islands.
See Cuba. For good or bad, it will never be the same after Fidel dies.
While in Nevis, you will find a beautiful beach that is very secluded… avoid the temptation to go there alone. A small group of 3-4 is best. Really.
It doesn’t happen much anymore but, if you find a “square grouper” on the beach leave it alone.
Have fun.
Ziv