A Good Joke

Here is a good joke I heard today, adapted to American politics:

A driver is stuck in a traffic jam going into Washington, D.C.

Nothing is moving north or south.

Suddenly a man knocks on his window.

The driver rolls down his window and asks, "What happened? What's the hold-up?"

"Terrorists have kidnapped John Boehner, Eric Cantor, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid," says the man.

They are asking for a ten million dollar ransom...otherwise, they are going to douse them with gasoline and set them on fire.  We are going from car to car, taking up a collection."

The driver asks, "On average, how much is everyone giving?"

The man replies, "About two gallons!"

Jamaican Me Crazy, Mon!

What a week. A brief recap by the numbers. 5 days with 12 hours of sleep. 13 amazing Fulbrighters and at least three whole jerk chickens eaten.  Too many Red Stripes, games of pool/dominoes, and ridiculous stories to count. One game of beach volleyball, a trip down a water slide, and one scramble up a long series of waterfalls. One paper mache giant crab and the resulting thorough airport screening, learning about and being impressed by 12 research projects, and ultimately, falling in love with Jamaica.  In short, it was a whirlwind of a trip.

It started off on the right foot, too.  Upon arriving at the hotel in New Kingston, I and the four Fulbrighters from Trinidad and Tobago (who were also flying to Jamaica from Barbados) dropped off our baggage and immediately set out to find some jerk chicken.  One of the Trinny Fulbrighters had been in the area before and took us to a local place not more than two blocks away.  Our bellies full, we set out to find some fun.  We were walking around Emancipation Park (beautiful!) when one of the Trinny Fulbrighter's head perked up prairie dog style.  The cause? He heard SOCA!  With carnival just a couple of weeks in the past, all the Trinny Fulbrighters were still coming down from that soca-infused high and were excited to hear its rapid tempo on the streets of Jamaica.  We followed the sound to a nearby hotel which was hosting a soca fete (read: party).  Alas they were charging a $30 US cover, which proved too rich for our blood, so we decided to just chill near the hotel pool and drink some Red Stripes.  Growing restless we set out to find something else to do.  One of the Trinnies got into a conversation with a Jamaican named Donovan who said he would take us to a local bar not far away.  Fifteen minutes later we were inside Chelsea, a rather deserted and decrepit (but expensive as we would later find out) bar where we proceeded to spend the next couple of hours shooting pool, listening to Donovan's stories (crazy!), and drinking more Red Stripe.  I can't remember what time it was when we finally left, but all I know is that waking up to give my presentation the following morning (after pulling an all-nighter the night before) was painful.

Pool @ Chelsea with Jacob and Donovan (photo courtesy of Miguella!)

The next day started off with a short trip to the Embassy to be introduced to the staff and collect our expense allowance.  Afterwards we returned to the hotel to begin the presentations.  Not only was I first but I was also the only Fulbrighter not pursuing a specific research project.  Therefore my presentation probably came off as more of a lecture than a window into my life in Barbados, but overall I think it went well enough.  Following seven more presentations we set out for a tour of Devon House, which was the mansion built by Jamaica's first black millionaire in the late 1800s.  Our guide told us about every piece of furniture in the place but didn't mention the man who built it, George Stiebel, more than a couple times.  A very odd tour indeed. 

Our furniture obsessed tour guide

After the tour we proceeded to the Bob Marley museum, which turned out to be closed by the time we got there (we were running late all day).  Still, the staff was nice enough to let us look around and even show us a bit of the film they have on Bob.  Quite an amazing man - it's a shame he died so young.

Bob's sweet ride.  Love me a Range Rover Defender!

Lion of Judah

Migs showing off her Blue Mountain Coffee

Following our abbreviated stay at the Bob Marley museum we headed back to Devon House for dinner at the Grog Shoppe.  Everyone was ready for some food and drink and a chance to sit and talk.  Fully satiated we headed back to the hotel to regroup before going out to the Jamaica Fulbrighters' favorite local bar.  Located half inside, half outside, the bar was the perfect space to hang out.  The owner, Jermaine, had just had two brand new pool tables installed a few days earlier and was offering beer specials for 100 Jamaican (roughly $1.20 U.S.).  After a couple hours there we called it a night and headed home.

New pool table at Jermaine's

The next day was rough.  We had to wake up at 5:45 so we could take a specific road (the Gorge) to Ochos Rios which was scheduled to be closed at 7 for construction.  Despite our preparation we didn't make it to the road in time.  However, the U.S. Embassy was able to call in a favor and we got a police escort through the construction site.  Pretty baller.  Still, not many on the bus noticed since everyone was passed out in pain from the night before.  A while later, in an effort to revive our spirits, our guides made us stop on the road for breakfast at this string of huts.  The ploy worked - people immediately felt better.

Never-ending string of food stalls

An hour later we reached our destination: the Sunset Jamaica Grande all-inclusive resort in Ochos Rios where we had a day pass to essentially do as we please.  But, before we could hit the beach we had to listen to a presentation from a Jamaican Fulbrighter and kinda-sorta go on a tour of the property.  No one understood why we were at a resort (not really seeing Jamaica that way) let alone why we needed to go on a tour of the property, so most of us just melted away before anything could be said or done.  Over the next few hours we played beach volleyball, drank free beers, took trips down the water slide, and relaxed by the pool/beach; resigned to spending time at the resort we decided to make the best of it.

The tour of the property, which very quickly ended

Finally, after many hours at the resort we headed to the spectacular Dunn's River Falls.  I climbed up the Falls with a couple of the guys, which turned out to be a good decision because it worked up my appetite for the most amazing jerk chicken on the trip (we ate at this nearby place called Schotties, where we plowed through our food before embarking on the long trip back to New Kingston).

At the beginning of the Falls

Love this photo.  Again, courtesy of Miguella.

The jerk being prepared at Schotties. Another Mig shot.

Upon returning to the hotel we all decided to call it a night since we were so exhausted and we wanted our last day in Jamaica to be enjoyed to the max.  The next morning we awoke to finish off the presentations and do a community service project at a nearby training organization called the Stella Maris Foundation.  The Foundation trains Jamaicans in useful skills - such as IT, early childhood care, crafts, sewing, etc - in order to keep them off the streets.  We were asked to give some of the kids advice about finding jobs and staying upbeat/focused.  The session went well and it was a shame we didn't have more time to spend there.  The kids were really starting to open up towards the end.

Beautiful paper mache houses made at Stella Maris

Sewing machines donated by the Japanese Embassay @ Stella Maris

One of the kids sharing a song he wrote about HIV/AIDS with us

Following our time at the Foundation we headed back to the hotel for an hour of rest before heading out to dinner.  Again, very good food but the highlight was the conversation.  Simply ridiculous.  After dinner we collected ourselves at the hotel and then headed out for our final night in Jamaica.  We started out at Jermaine's bar again, where we played dominoes and eased into a partying mood.  After a couple hours there we set off for a Dancehall (read: Jamaican club), where we partied hearty into the wee hours of the morning.  I headed back to the hotel around 4am, got around 3 hours of sleep, then woke up to have breakfast with the DomRep crew that was heading to the airport at 8:15 (our bus didnt leave for the airport till 10).  Luckily I wasn't heading to Barbados alone.  The T&T group had to fly there first before continuing on to Trinidad.  Even luckier I got to sit next to GiGi on the flight home, which was the perfect way to end the trip.  The only better thing that could have happened is if it had never ended at all.

New Blog Design

After browsing through a few of my fellow Fulbrighters' blogs, I realized how boring my own looked.  I've updated the background and design to something more interesting and will be looking into additional ways to "sex" it up.

Also, a full post on my Jamaican experience is coming.  Just need to get the photos uploaded and my memory recollected!

Good News! I'm Headed to Jamaica!

Today, thanks to the Senate's vote on a new Continuing Resolution (it passed by a wide margin), government agencies are cleared to spent sweet sweet monies until April 8th!  Almost immediately after the Senate passed the CR I received an email from Fulbright saying the trip is a go.  I should be hearing about my travel arrangements tomorrow.  Now I just need to get a haircut, iron my khakis, and brush the dust off the presentation I will be giving.  Also, I should probably email my professors to let them know I won't be in class this week. Shame!

Stay tuned for more updates on the trip.  Should be interesting, mon!

Widespread Budget Chaos

I came across this NY Times article today detailing the chaos the current budget situation is causing for almost every government agency. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/us/15spend.html?hp

In the spirit of my last post I figured I would share it with you all, since it details just how important government spending is to the daily functioning of so many programs we take for granted.

That said, the seers of Washington seem to be predicting a three-week CR will be passed sometime this week, meaning there is a solid chance my trip to Jamaica will go forward (*knocks on wood*).  I refuse to get my hopes up, however, since politics in D.C. is a fickle beast.  I'll make sure to keep you all updated.

Thwarted by CR?

I am supposed to be traveling to Jamaica for a Fulbright conference in 9 days.  Weeks ago the Fulbright program said a representative would contact me about securing plane tickets, but as the departure date grew closer and closer and I heard nothing from Fulbright I grew increasingly worried about the situation.  Well, I just received an email from the Fulbright program notifying me that the entire trip may be called off.  The problem, you see, is the Continuing Resolution (CR) the federal government has been operating under for the past two weeks.  Because there has been no fiscal year 2011 budget, no government agency is authorized to spend money past March 18th, which is when the current CR expires. Thus, because my trip is scheduled to run from March 20-24th, the State Department cannot pay for the hotels, plane tickets, and events required unless another CR is passed in the next couple of days.  While I've been hoping for an end (preferably sane) to the budget impasse for quite a while, this new development has given me a strong personal interest in seeing Republicans and Democrats reach a workable compromise.  Time to start holding my breath!

Win Some, Lose Some

Good news: my parents are visiting for the week!  Not only does this mean I get to spend time catching up with them but I also get to enjoy the hotel pool and some magnificent dinners.  They are here until Sunday and I will miss them when they are gone.

In fact, a big part of me wishes I could hop on the flight home with them.  On Monday I found out that the two-week intensive course I am registered to take in late March-early April has had its time changed.  Originally it was supposed to meet from 9am-1pm but now it has been changed from 2-5pm.  This was done (at the behest of complaining students) so that another intensive course which runs during the same two weeks could be moved to the 9am-1pm slot.  However, no one sought to ask me what I thought of this change - it was simply done and now I have to deal with it.  Furthermore, I doubt I would have ever been told about this change unless one of my fellow students had casually mentioned it to me in class.  There's been no email notification and I'm skeptical one will ever be sent.  Needless to say this has thrown a major wrench into my plans for the semester and I am pissed that at no single point was I consulted. 

Originally I took these types of issues in stride.  After all its just part of the experience and cultural exchange takes many forms.  Six months later, however, it is starting to wear thin and is enough to make me look forward to when I can go home for good.

Thankfully my parents are here to distract me for a while and in another week I will be flying to Jamaica to attend a Fulbright conference.  By the time I get back I'll have 5 weeks left in the semester and the sheer amount of work I'll need to do in that time will stupefy me beyond complaint.  I know that sounds hard to believe, but trust me it's the truth.  I'd rather save my energy for writing.

UPDATE (3/14/2011): In hindsight, now that I've had a few days to cool off I realize a couple things.  First, I feel terribly for my professor who got caught in the middle of this mish-a-mash.  By trying to accomodate one group of students via changing the class time she inconvenienced me and another classmate.  For her there truly was no good solution, so she was damned if she did, damned if she didn't.  Therefore, it was unfair of me to criticize the situation as harshly as I did since it was born out of good intentions.  That said, the way all this was communicated was very confusing and poorly handled.

Second, I was simply cranky when I wrote this post originally.  I had a lot of built up frustration and angst when this course change happened so it was the last bit that put me over the edge, even though it was a relatively minor event.  Lucky for me I was able to kvetch for an entire week to my parents, so it should all be out of my system...at least for a little while!  Thank you for your patience Mom and Dad.

Some Great Jamaican Humor

Sorry for the lack of posts lately - I've been sick with the flu and it's really taken it out of me.  I'm starting to feel better and hope to get back into the swing of things soon.  Meanwhile, here are some funny videos about or by Jamaicans.  As one of the most recognizable cultures in the region/world, Jamaica often receives more attention than its size suggests it should.  Enjoy!