Potpourri

We have been so remiss in posting to our blog, so tonight I have decided to offer just a glimpse in some of our recent experiences.

Location--St. Lucia
Topic-Local music, local charities

It's Friday night!
Country western, reggae, hip hop, merengue steeldrums, what more....at least 4 different dj's in action as we sit on a mooring ball not 100 feet from shore.  Why country western?  It all goes back to WWII when US GIs were posted here and the only radio entertainment was country.  Local musicans quickly learned the "twanguage" and songs, and the tradition remains.  It is definitely old timey music--fun.

Tonight we are in Soufriere after spending 15 days on the dock Rodney Bay Marina.  We replaced our navigation system, recertified our life raft, fire extinguishers and MOM (man overboard modulae).

We avoid marinas whenever possible, but to get work done on the boat, it's pretty much required to be on the dock for workers to easily access us in stable sea conditions.  We had lovely neighbors on Clara, who quickly introduced us to yoga morniings, volunteer opportunities and charity concerts.

Amy WInehouse spent about six months on St. Lucia, and after her death the Amy Winehouse foundation has sponsored a music program for both disabled youth and wards of the court.  We went to a concert on the beach featuring the music students supported by Amy's foundation.  Fitting first song `Back to Black" by the kids.  The venue and meal were donated, all proceeds to continue funding for the music programs.

Our volunteer activity was sponsored by the marina, all the IGY marinas designated the 20th of February as a community outreach day.  We signed up for a day at the "Boys Training Center".  This is a residential facility that houses and educates both youthful legal offenders and wards of the court (read abused and neglected).  The main acitivity of the day was painting the facility.  Most of the boys signed up fo this duty.  We had dressed for painting, but it became clear that there were way more painters than rollers, etc. and a need for diggers....the other opportunity was to work on raised beds and planting sweet potatoes.  HARD WORK, very compacted clay soil.  Pick axes, shovels and rakes in poly tunnel and a very sunny day.  Lots of water and a nap!

The other charity I learned about was called 100 women of St Lucia.  They meet once a quarter for lunch.   Everyone brings a charity, and all the charities are put in a hat.  Each participant brings 100 dollars (40 US).  3 charities are picked from the hat, and the sponsor give a presentation about the charity, and then the group votes on the best of the three.  No overhead, all money direct to the charity.  They have regularly exceeded the 100 women and the 100 dollars.

We are always asked what is our favorite island.  St. Lucia is near the top of the list, the Lucians remain extraordinarily outgoing, genuine and friendly in spite of pressures from rude tourists, uncertain weather events, and world politics taking tourists to other locales.

Here are a few more St. Lucia pictures: