Rain Forest, Zip Lines, Prayers for the Customs Officer and Driver’s Licence

Another memorable week has passed. Last Sunday we were up and out early as we headed off to a free (regular value $90US) guided tour of the rain forest. The trip there took us south and east through some small winding roads. The villages we crossed along the way were considerably less well off than are the coastal touristy areas. Bananas grow abundantly which led us to believe many of those we saw were farmers or farm workers.



The rain forest preserve was just opening as we arrived. Once suited with our gloves, harnesses and helmets it was off to our training run. The do’s and don’ts were fairly simple: lay back, relax and don’t put your hand on the wire in front of your pulley.






Since we were one of the first groups to head up the mountain in the gondolas, they thought they should explain to us why the gondola seats were all wet. Yes it was a rain forest but there was no sign of recent heavy rains, yet the seats were dripping. The guides informed us that it was necessary to power wash the slatted seats every morning because apparently the tarantulas enjoy jumping on for a little ride overnight. And when they are not riding, where do they reside, we thought to ask. We were told to keep our fingers out of any holes in the trees and the day would go well for us. Needless to say none dared try their luck nor were we disappointed to say we had seen none. Same went for the boas constrictors who apparently share the same forest with those spiders.





Confident that the seats were well washed, up the hill we headed. Our guide Marius, a very well spoken and friendly chap, was a wealth of information commenting on all we saw and answering questions on topics ranging from plant life to geology and history.




Once we had arrived at the top of the gondola ride, we hiked a short distance down the mountain to arrive at the zip lines. From a platform attached to one tree we would slide/glide attached to the wires via our harnesses and the “just-in-case-something-goes wrong” lines to the next tree. As the terrain dropped off we climbed through our successive zips to reach a height of approximately 70 feet off the forest floor. None in the group of 8 or 9 of us ever experienced any fear factor. With a guide ahead and one behind, safety was always foremost.




Eleven or twelve zip rides later it was time to head back down the mountain, again via the gondola. The ride down was more impressive it seemed since we were more aware of the flora and fauna around us. By the end of the day, we agreed it would make a very interesting, educational and enjoyable school outing so stay tuned for rain forest part 2 when we return with the students.




The week at school seemed to drag. By midweek the frustration of intermittent internet service, one or two blown computers (they don’t tolerate changes in voltage it seems) and the lack of textbooks left me searching for my wine glass in despair. Then things seemed to improve.



It started one morning at school with my grade 10 homeroom class. They asked if we could stand and spend a minute in silence in memory of the recently departed, well-loved, elderly Prime Minister, Sir John. I agreed and even managed some appropriate words prior to. At the end of this, one student asked if we couldn’t spend a short bit of time praying each morning. Quick thinking was called for on my part. After a moment’s reflection, as well as a reading of the others’ reaction to her request, (the majority were clearly in strong agreement), I suggested that I was not about to impose a specific prayer on such a ethnically, culturally and, I imagined, religiously diverse group, but I continued, I felt we could all agree to 30 seconds of prayer/meditation/reflection as per our own beliefs. They rejoiced; our prayers began.



My first prayer therefore became one of thanks for having had the uncanny good luck to fall into a beautiful way to start the day. We go from a loud, raucous homeroom period into 30 seconds of silence, where each and every one, without any pressure on my part, voluntarily spends time in silence and together we emerge from that into math class. Imagine, every day, I ask them to bow their heads and we go from noise into starting our day.



On the second day though, I had the thought... I should ask the class to pray to their God and ask Him or Her to help guide the customs officer that was holding up the school’s shipment of textbooks and personal items into making the correct judgement call. Lo and behold, why the very next day, after having sat at the dock for a month or more, the shipment that left Moncton in early July, arrived at the school. Such is the proper of prayer my students chimed in the following morning. All can rest assured, this coming week’s prayers will be directed towards improving the service we get from our local internet service provider :)



To end the week off, I went and obtained my St. Lucian driver’s licence. It required a physical, patience, watching a cricket match (India vs. Pakistan) and a bit of money but nothing over the top. I don’t understand why it came to me so crooked but as long as it works who cares.


Well I’ve written long enough for today. It has been a good way to spend some of the time I’ve had to give up today. Seems they needed someone to come into the school today, on a Saturday, to let the air-conditioning man in to do some repairs/improvements. He’d be here only an hour or so they said. Been here since 8 this morning, it’s four now and he has about another hour before he calls it a day, but hey, life in the Caribbean never moves too fast they keep reminding me :).

Have a good week one and all.