An Old Blog Post

  • onlymuppetdickpixHow far into the future can you see? Tomorrow? Undoubtedly, next week certainly, next month probably. Next year? You might be unrecognizable. Next decade, that’s a complete stranger. I hope that stranger is a person we want to meet. They’re coming either way.

What Is It Like?

So, I’ve been here 48 hours. What’s it like? More on all these later.

Hot! Not much different from CLT or NYC this time of year, but I’m outside a lot more and in the sun. The AC in the apartment is excellent, it’s a small place. Water? Yes, I drink a lot. Oh… and it’s 86-79 all day.

School. Pretty dedicated folks and very detail oriented. Each of the programs is challenging. Brits, Aussies, Americans, Israelis, Hondurans…all over…teaching and learning. Very fast paced. 4 boats running AM, PM and night dives. Not always full-full. They run all levels. Snorkeling classes to super technical. I looked again at my plan and I will be quite busy. (More on this later)

Diving. I’ve done 3 so far. 2 tomorrow. Pretty good. Typical Caribbean. Coral looks good. No lionfish so far which is good. I’m here more for the learning.

People. Most definitely a younger crowd(on the expat front) like the EMT class I did. It’s Tuesday and they are all packed into the restaurant at the temp room I am at ($50 per night if you are wondering). That means it’s tequila Tuesday. Not for me. I have to be on the boat @ 0630.

Food. So far I haven’t ventured out too much. I had $1 empanadas and a good wood fired pizza @ $6 and a fresh ceviche @ $6. But by far the best is a vine ripened pineapple that was the sweetest thing ever. Oh…fresh fruit juices for 50c.

Vehicles. Few cars. All tuk-tuks, Motorbikes, scooters, ATVs or golf carts. Helmets? No. Infants in moms arms on scooter? Sure. 8 year old on a bike with her 3 year old brother facing backward on handlebar in traffic? No problem. (More on this later)

Booze. About $2 beer or well shots. Too hot for too much.

People. There is poverty here, but I guess we see it more in a small place as opposed to the US. I don’t know what the locals think of us. Lots of expats doing the scuba thing. Alota bohemian type tourists. I feel safe.

Language. I thought there would be more “Island” language but the locals are mostly speaking Spanish. Long timers here are fluent. I’m learning. Have insisted they speak to me in Spanish.

Other. You can smoke at the bar. TP doesn’t get flushed(you read that right). No stop lights. Jaywalking is A-OK.

More later.