so any tour guide will tell you, and for those of you who don't know, barbados is portuguese for "bearded one" which comes from this tree that uses long vines as an alternative root system. the vines grow from the top of the tree and eventually reach the ground, which is when they take on their supportive role. so that's that.
since i last wrote, a number of things have happened. we've gone out of the hotel. we checked out a couple of restaurants, first mamma mia (a pizzaria) and then the green dragon (serving more typically barbadian - or bajan - food). honestly, i prefer the green dragon, there is more of an authentic feel.
we all took a trip to the grocery store. all of us. needless to say, the store knew we were coming long before we got there. once in, i can honestly say that i haven't seen so many imported items in a foreign grocery store before. the guilty pleasures ranged from several competing brands of crunchy and smooth peanut butter (peter pan, jif, skippy, and some generic, yet foreign, brand), nutella, betty crocker cake mix, a variety of milk alternatives (almond, soy, rice), a cereal isle to rival any american selection, and, of course, hershey's chocolate shell topping. all in all, a complete experience.
friday night included some pretty incredible dancing by my two roommates. they starred at the weekly fishfry in front of an audience of, at least, 200 jealous onlookers. few others had the confidence to compete, but those that did made for some solid entertainment and there are definitely some fans crossing their fingers the american students stop by next week.
a man named ted entertained us yesturday. he gives bus tours of the island - and apparently has led tours for the past 20 years. check out the hotel website - it advertises him: http://www.coconut-court.com/activities_tedstour.cfm
(by the by, we are at the coconut court hotel)
so ted definitely put on a good show. he showed us the best sites, sang us some songs, and provided us with some fine food. we adore him.
so the school part of all of this starts for real tomorrow. or somewhere near there. i think i'm working/playing with orphaned children, but who knows. all should be made clear tomorrow.
people here just move in a relaxed sort of way. things happen when they happen. appointments happen within the hour they are scheduled to. and it's quite nice to just be expected to slow down. very much my style. and i have no intention on getting back up to speed when i get back in the states. fair warning.
and with that, here are some pictures to soothe any lasting concerns that barbados isn't gorgeous:
the little fella is ted's son, lee.
climbed on up to have some quiet time (photo credit for these two: emily peck).
and then climbed this one:
and the sunset from our balcony:
until next time...take it easy.
