Life Around The Island

Here are a few notes on some of the subjects I get asked about the most-when comparing SVG to life in the States:

Social Life:

SVG is a very, sometimes a little too friendly, friendly island. It's expected to say 'Good Morning, Afternoon, or Evening' when passing someone on a village street. Friends who walk by your house will call your name or sometimes come to the window/door to greet you. I have made quite a few local friends, both in Brighton and around other villages. There is a family upstairs, who rents my apartment, that have taken me in as one of their own. The mother is a teacher at Brighton Primary, and she and her husband have 2 daughters and a son in their 20's as well as a 6-year-old grandson who is a studant at the school. I'm also still in touch with my homestay family from the first couple of months living here in Brighton, and see them on a weekly basis, often for Sunday lunch or a night out. The Peace Corps volunteers here are living throughout the island, and once a month or so there will be a get together at one of the houses, as well as seeing each other in town most weeks. Dating is a different experience in St. Vincent. There is not 'dating' exactly; after a short time of hanging out, it's generally straight to 'girlfriend/boyfriend' status or referring to each other as 'my girl/my boy.' There is a different sense of boundaries and attention as well. Most of us learned very quickly not to give out a phone number as easily as in the States, unless you want to be called 5 or 6 times a day, in a row, starting at 6 a.m. While the men here are very, very forward, they will respect you once you make your own stance very, very, clear. Overall though, dating has been a positive experience, once you learn how it works.

Shopping for Food Etc. :

Most villages have little 'hut' and 'rum' shops, while a majority of shopping has to be done in Town (i.e. Kingstown). Kingstown is the only major town in St. Vincent, and is where most of the banks, the main post office, cruise ship/ferry terminal, bars, and restaurants are. Some are scattered throughout the island, but not in every village. Brighton is about a half-hour van ride from Town, and most volunteers are further away. Trips to Town are generally limited to once a week, to take care of bill paying, banking, and food shopping.

Transportation:

The most available form of transportation in SVG are "the vans." Every village has a number of passenger vans, most with names and locations painted on the front, that run between said village and Kingstown. Fares vary, Brighton to Kingstown for example is $2 E.C., whereas taxis run about $50 E.C. one-way. They run from about 6 a.m. to around 11 p.m. at the latest, depending on who owns them and where they are going. Most do not run on Sundays, when town businesses are closed anyway. While I could describe a typical van ride here, it's best to experience it for yourself-you will never be the same. Think loud music, no seatbelts, fast driving, and...you get the picture. Suprisingly, accidents are rare-the drivers know their roads.

Cooking:

St. Vincent has a few grocery stores in town, a vegetable market, and a fish market. Fresh fruits and vegetables are easier to come by in the villages, and are often brought by by someone who has extras and is happy to share. Vincy fruits and vegetables are the easiest to get, such as oranges, starfruit, papya, dasheen, calilou, and breadfruit. American fruits are expensive, such as $15 E.C. for 4 plums or $10 for a head of iceburg lettuce. It's best to learn to cook local dishes, such as rice and peas or roasted breadfruit.