Life as a 3-month Statian

Around 10 square miles in the Caribbean.....that's where I have now spent the past three months of my life. And now for a little insight into the interesting island life on St. Eustatius. Although it is a very small island, where we have been living seems like a world away sometimes. The Botanical Garden.....roughly a 20 minute drive from town on a far from perfect narrow dirt road. Narrow enough that when you do meet another car on it, which is quite seldom, one of you has to back up to a spot to allow the other car to pass by. Which in some cases is quite a ways. This wonderful road is the main contributor in the wear and tear our 2 trucks receive. 2 trucks by the way, that would make my old white chevy cavalier seem like a rolls royce. we are constantly fixing tires, tying up bumpers, and sitting on wet seats. Yep....the windows do not go up on all the trucks so a nice refreshing rain storm is a bittersweet thing. Which brings me to 3 months of living in a tent up in the hills. Let's just say I don't think I will be signing up for any weekend camping trips when I return. Actually...it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. The rain is the only thing that makes it miserable. That and the heat.....7:30 am.....the time when the sun begins hitting my tent and baking all that's inside it. But it is very peaceful and relaxing. I have seen many a great sunrises....ones that rise up just off the coast of St. Kitts right now. The weather right now is about as nice as it gets on Statia. Warm and sunny during the day and relatively cool at night. The population as of 2006 is around 3200....comprised mainly of African/Caribbean descent. As it is a Dutch island, there are also many Dutch citizens on the island as well. The people here are great and very welcoming to STENAPA volunteers. The exemplify the Caribbean nature....laid back and very friendly. Things here run on Statia time...."I'll be there about that time" or "We'll get it done in such and such amount of time". And people always waving! One thing that reminds me of home. I have actually waved so much I've found myself waving to random cows and goats. And that brings me to the livestock we share this island with. Not a day goes by that I do not see a cow, goat, donkey, pig and chicken. It really is amazing.....I have seen more of these animals in the past 3 months then I've seen the past many years. They roam freely and you even see them in town. There have been times where I actually have to get out of the truck, walk up to the goats on the road, and kindly ask them to move. I have met some interesting people on the island, two that come to mind are Heavy and George. Heavy weighs all of about 110 pounds....hence the nickname. George is a bit older with a big grayish beard. 2 guys that have found themselves down on their luck you could say.They are always around town and whenever you run into them you're always asked for a guilder. There are around 9 grocery stores on Statia and about 15 bar/restaurants. 4 Chinese grocery stores and 5 Chinese bar and restaurants....which makes for a little communication problems some times. When you think you've ordered garlic chicken....you may just get something totally different instead! But as you can see, there's no shortage of food here! Some of the bar and restaurants actually look like a small addition to somebody's home.  Although a lot of the time Statia feels about 20 years behind the times, a lot of things are relatively up-to-date. There is internet here, albeit quite slow compared to home. Cell phones are as big a hit here as they are in the States as well. The big grocery store, Duggin's Supermarket, is quite similiar to one you would see back home. And cars/trucks are everywhere as well. Although I may add, I have not gone over about 50 mph since arriving. There is a short stretch of straight flat road by the airport that allows you to actually get into 5th gear! I still have yet to figure out how there are not more fender benders on the island though. It is quite a maze in some parts of town.....one-ways everywhere and blind intersections. And vehicles that are not afraid to drive fast at times. Honking.....never have I honked so many times in my life. Actually it's more of 2 quick "beeps" of the horn. And has the completely opposite meaning that in the States. It's more of a "hello" than "you stupid driver". They also will flash their lights as a sign of hello. Good morning, good afternoon, and good night/evening. These are the three phrases when greeting someone on the street. A little odd, but it seems most everyone uses them. There is a medical school on the island as well. Around 60 students right now I think. So you see some of them out and about at times. Let's just say.....the next new doctor I see, I'm going to ask if they went to medical school in Statia! Well....my time today has about ran out. That is just a sampling of how life on Statia is. More to come another time! Until next time America.....