Two days down. Only three to go. We started this week helping out with a local day camp. We go from 8:30 till around 4:30 pm. I have never known such exhaustion without a strenuous workout! There are appromximately 70 of them and they are CRAZY!! Well, they are like any other kids, but these guys have an endless amount of energy. I really have a deeper appreciation for teachers and what they have to go through to occupy a child's attention. I have learned in a very short amount of time that sometimes just winging it with the kids is the best way to go. You will never stick to your lesson plan entirely.

Even though the whole day seemed like chaos and I was about ready to write all these kids off as hopeless, there is always that one moment that snaps you back to the simple truth: they're just kids. One kid in particular has for the last two days really worn on the whole lot of us, and no matter how many times we had scolded him, it didn't seem to affect his manner at all. But today we were all shown a different light. We had a traditional drum teacher come and visit the camp to show the kids some beats on the djembe and conga drums. When he called on the one kid in particular, I thought "oh no, this'll be interesting". I was pleasantly surprised though when he got on there and beat out a rhythm that made us all tap along. For the rest of the session he paid close attention to the intructor and volunteered to go up and demonstrate once more. He felt proud in his new skill and for a moment you could tell he was the envy of all the other kids. It made my heart smile!

Well, I have a recap of the activities on St. Lucia on my computer, but looks like I won't post them until I either go to a wireless hub somewhere, or when I get my own place. But I can post it later to fill you all in, plus I will then be able to post pictures and then you'll get a whole bag of surprises. Anyways, I've been having a good time on St. Kitts. We stayed 2 nights at a guesthouse, all 14 of us. It was a good time to get to know eachother since not all of us were in the same hub groups in St. Lucia. We got to relax and go to the beach on Sunday, then we met our host families on Monday.

I'm staying with Uriah and Sylvia, but they are known as Betty and Charles. Yep, everyone here has an alias, and rarely is there just one. They are great though. Sylvia has been showing how to cook local foods. Using ingredients like coconut, plantain, various types of fish, and ground provisions. Tonight she made sugar cake with coconut. They're kinda like macaroons, but without chocolate.

Unlike St. Lucia, I get to shower, no bucket baths, and everyone seems to have internet. I get quite a lot more freedom here. I guess it's because this is my home now and the Peace Corps realizes we need to do things on our own. In St. Lucia I was constantly chaperoned, even during the day and even if I was with other volunteers. I know they were doing it to keep us "safe", but it got very frustrating.

St. Kitts is gorgeous, and maybe some of you will have the chance to come and visit me out here. We have monkeys!!! We also have mongoose, mongeese, -gooses... I don't know, but we have more than just one mongoose on the island. There are also some very brightly colored lizards, and I need to figure out what they are. There are no snakes, the mongoose got them. Umm... apparently there are some small deer here, and also some ferel pigs. As far as domesticated animals, lots of goats, pigs, cows, sheep, chickens/roosters, and the occasional pet monkey. Who knows what I'll end up having once I get my own place. A volunteer out here has a goat that she will pass on to a colleague in my group, so now I am thinking that I will want a goat. Definitely a dog, but all of these critters could get pricey, and I am living on government stipend. So we'll see.

Aside from the beauty and unfamiliar wildlife, St. Kitts has a lot to offer socially and recreationally. There are places to go in Bassatterre at night, which will be good for unwinding at the end of stressfull weeks. We've also been told that free spanish classes are offered at the Venezuela Institute here on the island. There are also french classes offered out here, but you have to pay for them. I hope to get a refresher course in diving and up my certification to advanced if I have the funds, and already we have heard of different running/walking groups to join, and also sports clubs like cricket, net ball, and basketball. I REALLY want to join a cricket club. I need to learn all the rules though.

Well, that's been about it. I will put pictures up when I can get my computer online, so I will be sure to let you know when that changes. Keep checking on me though!!

Well, 3 weeks have come and gone and now I am saying bye to my sweet St. Lucia. It has been a whirl wind trip, and I'm sure I've learned lots, but I am so ready to settle in somewhere and have a place to call home. My flight leaves for St. Kitts in about an hour, it shoud only take 2 hours total to get there. We'll stay in a guest house till Monday, when we meet our new homestay families. I'm still not sure what I will be doing there, but I am excited. I am thinking I will be teaching, but we'll see. I still have lots to talk about, but not a lot of time. I have many pics to put up as well, so just be patient with me, and I will fill you all in on my adventures soon enough. Just know that I am ok, a little over fed, but doing well nonetheless. Oh yeah, it is really hot here!!