DDay minus 1

View from campus

Gran Anse beach

Gran Anse beach

The Aquarium

Concord Falls

Coming to Grenada started off a little rough! The TSA lady hasseled me for my carry on, and then the TSA screener broke my USC coffee mug... I was sad! The flight to Miami was eventful. The fasten seatbelt sign remained permanently on, and the stewardess told me that in the 27 years of her flying, this flight was one of her top 5 most turbulent flights. The layover in Miami was short and sweet, and a slept the majority of the way to Grenada. I was very glad that I did. The country of Grenada definently marches to the beat of their own drum-- things take a lot of time, so patience is absolutely necessary. I waiting in line for over an hour to go through customs. After customs I looked for my bags, however, none of the bags from California made it on the flight, so I had to wait another hour in line for the American Airlines lost baggage kiosk. They assured me that my luggage would make it to the island sometime that week, but they couldn't promise me when. I then made my way to the end of the hour long declarations line, in which I had to declare my laptop and pay the associated import taxes... (I hid my ipod, my iphone, and my Garmin in my backpack, so I wouldn't have to pay taxes on them too). I arrived to my dorm with no luggage, but fortunately a blanket and one change of clothes that I had stuffed in my carry-on. I slept on the mattress and bundled up my shirt for the pillow. The next day I registered for classes, and walked around the campus finishing up odds and ends. That night I went to the airport to get my bags, and ironically, the people that I hangout with now are the people I met that night at the airport getting their lost luggage too. The following day I went on a campus sponsored tour of the capitol. The farmers market and the fish market are definently 2 places that I will be returning too. I saw the hospital-- after seeing the hospital I definently DO NOT want to get sick while I am down here. I then went on the school sponsored hike to Concord Waterfall, in which I opted to go for a swim! Later that night I went to a university sponsored event at a bar called Aquarium, and danced until I couldn't stand the feeling of sweat anymore. Fortunately, Aquarium is on the beach, so I hungout on the beach with my friends to cool off. Yesterday it POURED! I went to the cheap market and the hardware store without my raincoat, and I definently paid the price. Weather here changes so fast, and normally it only rains for 15 minutes at a time. Well yesterday it poured nearly all day! However, by the evening it cleared up, so I went to the University sponsored bbq for some free food!!! :) Last night my friends and I sat on the beach right next to my dorm and enjoyed the tranquility of the island. Everyday thus far has been filled with really boring orientation meetings. Today was no different. Except after the meetings I went to the beach. Gran Anse was voted by National Geographics as one of the prettiest secluded beaches in the world. It is definently their claim to fame (besides nutmeg and mace). I played in the crystal clear water before returning to campus to go to the bazaar, in which I ate more free food, listened to some steel drums, and walked around the vendors. I joined the Women in Medicine club, the Emergency Doctors Club, and the Surgery Club. We'll see how much time I have for these clubs. Running on the island is achieved by waking up early in the morning-- otherwise it gets a little warm. Tonight, I plan on falling asleep to Marley and Me, and enjoying my last night of freedom. Although the journey started off rough... I look outside, and think this place is amazing, and I am so lucky to be here!