My time on the island has come to an end.
As I noted before, it probably seems quite sudden that I left. But it has been in the works for months. It was February when I first began to realize I needed to leave. There's no place for "partners of staff" at the SFS center in TCI. As more and more restrictions on how I could be involved were placed on me (and the others in my same position), it became apparent that I'd be better off some place else.
Despite how some characterized it, I never felt entitled to free reign over the school's resources or expected to be entertained by those who worked there. Quite the opposite, when I came I was more than happy pitch in where I could - to work for free! On numerous occasions I offered to be part of the staff-of-the-day rotation, monitor the radio, serve boat duty, or lead groups. I came with the attitude that I needed to "earn my keep." I would bear no burden on others and do everything I could to make the lives of those around me easier. That was what I could offer in exchange for the extraordinary opportunity of being allowed to live there.
No matter what, though, some were determined to resent the fact that I was there in no official capacity. There's nothing quite as infuriating as being told, "you don't seem to understand that this is a school," when it was so far from the truth. (I must add, though, if you judge by the way this person conducted his course, it's understandable why someone might forget).
But there's no need to dwell on the things that made life on South Caicos difficult. In the sincerest way I can possibly put it, I wouldn't trade the last year for anything. Despite the challenges, I've had some once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I'll never forget (especially since they're quite well documented in this blog). I logged over 170 dives, swam with dolphins, whales, sharks, eagle rays, and loads of tropical fishes. I've become an underwater photographer and gained an advanced knowledge of diving. I captured sea turtles and freed iguanas. It's been quite an adventure. And I couldn't be more thankful for it.
We'll have to count on Jessee to keep this blog going through the summer. I won't be writing regularly anymore (though I may post once or twice more, for instance, when I finish the book). It's a sad feeling bringing things to a close. This blog has been pretty central to my life for an entire year. But all good things must come to an end.
Farewell South Caicos!
Showing posts with label leaving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leaving. Show all posts
06 June 2010
05 June 2010
On the Mainland
It was a long and arduous journey, but I've arrived safely in Naples, Florida. As the crow flies, South Caicos is only about 600 miles from Florida. If only I could have flown directly, it would have taken hardly more than an hour. Instead, it took me 16. So close, yet strangely far away.
There are few things less pleasant than commercial air travel these days. It seems that collectively airlines have given up all effort of providing decent service. Instead they try to wring every last penny they can from you. I was charged $25 to check my bag and $3 for the on-board snack. They've even gone as far as placing advertisements on the tray tables! On top of that, the TCI government charged me $20 for permission to leave the country. They get away with all of this because they know we're captive consumers. We'll keep purchasing their product no matter how bad it is because when it comes to long distance travel, there's nothing else we can do.
Shameless.
But I guess, when it comes down to it, I can't complain because they did manage to get me from point A to point B without any mid-air disasters!
I do, however, always enjoy the island-connector flight from South to Provo. See some of the photos from it below:
Boarding in South Caicos
You can really see the damage that the East Bay resort has done dredging sea grass.
Dove Cay and Long Cay
One final goodbye - looking down at the Center.
There are few things less pleasant than commercial air travel these days. It seems that collectively airlines have given up all effort of providing decent service. Instead they try to wring every last penny they can from you. I was charged $25 to check my bag and $3 for the on-board snack. They've even gone as far as placing advertisements on the tray tables! On top of that, the TCI government charged me $20 for permission to leave the country. They get away with all of this because they know we're captive consumers. We'll keep purchasing their product no matter how bad it is because when it comes to long distance travel, there's nothing else we can do.
Shameless.But I guess, when it comes down to it, I can't complain because they did manage to get me from point A to point B without any mid-air disasters!
I do, however, always enjoy the island-connector flight from South to Provo. See some of the photos from it below:
Boarding in South Caicos
You can really see the damage that the East Bay resort has done dredging sea grass.
Dove Cay and Long Cay
One final goodbye - looking down at the Center.27 May 2010
Summer's Coming
This morning we woke up in a stuffy hot room. It was the first time in months that it's been uncomfortably warm that early in the morning. Summer is coming. Which means it's also about time to solidify summer plans.
I had long ago hoped to have things sorted out and had been waiting until then to give this update. Unfortunately quite a bit is still up in the air. I had hoped to be starting a PhD program in Scotland this Fall. I was accepted to the University of Edinburgh, but I haven't been able to secure enough funding to go. It costs a fortune for overseas students! And my backup plan, the University of Vermont, turned out not to be much of a backup when I found out they had never received my transcripts. Now I feel a little bit lost.
I decided months back that I would return to Washington for the summer to work and prepare for the move. I even bought plane tickets - 4 June is my last day on South Caicos. Very soon! I had just been waiting until I knew the whole plan before putting it into writing on this blog.
As it stands, I'll be visiting my grandfather for a few days in Florida before a two week contract with Gray Wolf back in Washington. After that, I have no idea. I applied (and actually already interviewed) for an exciting job in Costa Rica with Outward Bound, but I haven't heard back from them yet. Either way, it's time (perhaps past time) to leave this island. It's been an unforgettable experience, but there's not much for me here. As time has progressed I've found that I can't really be involved with SFS life and the South Caicos community just isn't big enough to provide me with any outside opportunities. Life on a tiny tropical island just isn't always what the imagination leads you to believe.
Having such wide open possibilities would normally be pretty exciting for me, but this time I'm feeling a little less adventurous. All I really want is to start school this Fall. And I especially DON'T want to repeat the process of seeking scholarships or applying to backup schools for next year. I'm still waiting to hear how much money the federal government will lend me (things are delayed this year because of the recent changes to student loan laws), but it's doubtful it would be enough to attend and I'm leery of accumulating so much debt anyway. So, where I'll be come July, is very much unknown.
I had long ago hoped to have things sorted out and had been waiting until then to give this update. Unfortunately quite a bit is still up in the air. I had hoped to be starting a PhD program in Scotland this Fall. I was accepted to the University of Edinburgh, but I haven't been able to secure enough funding to go. It costs a fortune for overseas students! And my backup plan, the University of Vermont, turned out not to be much of a backup when I found out they had never received my transcripts. Now I feel a little bit lost.
I decided months back that I would return to Washington for the summer to work and prepare for the move. I even bought plane tickets - 4 June is my last day on South Caicos. Very soon! I had just been waiting until I knew the whole plan before putting it into writing on this blog.
As it stands, I'll be visiting my grandfather for a few days in Florida before a two week contract with Gray Wolf back in Washington. After that, I have no idea. I applied (and actually already interviewed) for an exciting job in Costa Rica with Outward Bound, but I haven't heard back from them yet. Either way, it's time (perhaps past time) to leave this island. It's been an unforgettable experience, but there's not much for me here. As time has progressed I've found that I can't really be involved with SFS life and the South Caicos community just isn't big enough to provide me with any outside opportunities. Life on a tiny tropical island just isn't always what the imagination leads you to believe.
Having such wide open possibilities would normally be pretty exciting for me, but this time I'm feeling a little less adventurous. All I really want is to start school this Fall. And I especially DON'T want to repeat the process of seeking scholarships or applying to backup schools for next year. I'm still waiting to hear how much money the federal government will lend me (things are delayed this year because of the recent changes to student loan laws), but it's doubtful it would be enough to attend and I'm leery of accumulating so much debt anyway. So, where I'll be come July, is very much unknown.
27 May 2009
The Most Valuable Cargo
Tuesday we shipped all of our possessions, but today I shipped the most valuable piece of cargo. Jessee is on her way. I dropped her off at the airport shuttle just about an hour ago. In all the commotion, however, I didn't get a tracking number or delivery insurance and completely forgot to thoroughly tape her to withstand rough handling!
Even though we're starting on this big adventure, it was really sad to take these steps. Our apartment is starting to look like people don't live here (because most of our stuff is packed up), and 5 weeks apart seems like a really long time! Luckily, Jessee's flight is late tonight, so we had the entire day together. It was a beautiful day (which makes leaving even harder), so we spent much of it outside. First we went out to lunch at the Russian dumpling place - we've been meaning to go there for a while and this was our last chance. The menu was simple. Really simple: meat or potatoes. We got one of each. They were good, but I'm not sure they were that authentic - they had curry power and cilantro on them - we'll call it a "mexindianski" flavor.
After that Jessee wanted some frozen yogurt from the dentist-office-sterile yogurt place. It's supposed to be really fancy (and healthy), but the place is so clean, white, and florescently lit that it feels like an operating room. I didn't have any. We sat in the sun on the patio, and I thought about how even at 45ยบ north latitude my pale Lithuanian skin was cooking. For some reason, my Jewish blood doesn't seem to help - aren't they desert people?
We spent some time wandering aimlessly around the city, saying goodbye to some of our favorite places. The dumplings weren't much, and I hadn't had breakfast, so we decided to check out another restuarant we had be meaning to try: Best Chopsticks, a Chinese place with a $6 lunch special. Usually when you first move some place you tour around and sample the restuarants. We did it on our way out.
On our way home, we walked through the park and salmon hatchery. From the bridge we could see dozens of young salmon futilely trying to make it up the falls. We couldn't figure out what they were doing. They were too young to be going to spawn - 4 or 5 inches long, bigger than fry, but smaller than adults. The Parks & Rec. employee wasn't sure either. It was hysterical to watch though. They would shoot out of the water at all different angles, rarely in the direction that would give them progress. Some made it to a small pool above, but there was no where to go from there. Even adult fish struggle to make it up the stretch of river higher than that. Maybe they were looking for food higher up, but at that age the salmon should be headed for the ocean. Poor confused little guys.
The time to go finally came, and I walked Jessee up to the bus station. We were both especially sad to leave our wonderful apartment. I'll be here for another two weeks, of course, but it won't be the same. She's on the shuttle now, and by tomorrow morning, she'll be in Philadelphia. She'll stay there for few days with her parents before heading up to Boston for training (did I mention the School for Field Studies is affiliated with Boston University?). On 4 June, she'll head down to TCI and start work almost immediately.
Even though we're starting on this big adventure, it was really sad to take these steps. Our apartment is starting to look like people don't live here (because most of our stuff is packed up), and 5 weeks apart seems like a really long time! Luckily, Jessee's flight is late tonight, so we had the entire day together. It was a beautiful day (which makes leaving even harder), so we spent much of it outside. First we went out to lunch at the Russian dumpling place - we've been meaning to go there for a while and this was our last chance. The menu was simple. Really simple: meat or potatoes. We got one of each. They were good, but I'm not sure they were that authentic - they had curry power and cilantro on them - we'll call it a "mexindianski" flavor.
After that Jessee wanted some frozen yogurt from the dentist-office-sterile yogurt place. It's supposed to be really fancy (and healthy), but the place is so clean, white, and florescently lit that it feels like an operating room. I didn't have any. We sat in the sun on the patio, and I thought about how even at 45ยบ north latitude my pale Lithuanian skin was cooking. For some reason, my Jewish blood doesn't seem to help - aren't they desert people?
We spent some time wandering aimlessly around the city, saying goodbye to some of our favorite places. The dumplings weren't much, and I hadn't had breakfast, so we decided to check out another restuarant we had be meaning to try: Best Chopsticks, a Chinese place with a $6 lunch special. Usually when you first move some place you tour around and sample the restuarants. We did it on our way out.
On our way home, we walked through the park and salmon hatchery. From the bridge we could see dozens of young salmon futilely trying to make it up the falls. We couldn't figure out what they were doing. They were too young to be going to spawn - 4 or 5 inches long, bigger than fry, but smaller than adults. The Parks & Rec. employee wasn't sure either. It was hysterical to watch though. They would shoot out of the water at all different angles, rarely in the direction that would give them progress. Some made it to a small pool above, but there was no where to go from there. Even adult fish struggle to make it up the stretch of river higher than that. Maybe they were looking for food higher up, but at that age the salmon should be headed for the ocean. Poor confused little guys.
The time to go finally came, and I walked Jessee up to the bus station. We were both especially sad to leave our wonderful apartment. I'll be here for another two weeks, of course, but it won't be the same. She's on the shuttle now, and by tomorrow morning, she'll be in Philadelphia. She'll stay there for few days with her parents before heading up to Boston for training (did I mention the School for Field Studies is affiliated with Boston University?). On 4 June, she'll head down to TCI and start work almost immediately.
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