Monkey Business.

Monday was a frantic day. We began with a trip to the local 'walmart', called TDC (Trading and Development Corporation). Significantly smaller, far less items for purchase, and way more expensive than our American version. But I was able to acquire a new bathmat (the ones provided were nasty) and a few odds & ends.
After TDC we headed over to the port for some shopping. There I met my new friends.

Total Glamor Shot.

We saw this guy with the monkey, and of course I could not help my excited outburst. I did not think a person could move that fast, but he had that monkey in his hands and dragged her over to us in ten seconds flat. He smiles and asks if I want to hold the monkey (who was holding her baby!). Again, of course, I cannot withhold my excitement. As Kristin starts to take my picture he says $10 for 5 pics. I turned straight to him and said no thanks, we won't pay for pictures (since I saw her flash happen already...). He then thrusts her onto my shoulder and says $5 then. At this point I am nervous of angering momma monkey and reenacting the various When Animals Attack programs I had always laughed at before. I gently prodded her off my shoulders and again declined to pay. He shrugged and ran off. Score one for the stupid tourist.

Pictures of the port. Not that exciting. Certainly not very telling as to any of the island's culture.

After wandering around the port for a while, we ran into Derek (another student in our group). Derek has been talking non-stop about the monkeys, so when I eagerly showed him my picture he flipped out and had to have one as well. As I pointed over to the tree where the man and his money maker hung out, the guy caught me and came running over again. I told him Derek just wanted to hold her for a moment. He gave her over, then offered the $5 thing again. I declined, as I simply would not pay this guy for being lucky enough to trap young monkeys for profit. Frustrated with the bitchy tourist, he grumbled assent for one quick free picture. All the while he was looking past us at his next marks.

Derek and his new friends.

On the way home from the port, we made a quick beer run to the local brewery. You can buy a 24 case of Carib (local beer, very yummy) for $21US. Pretty good deal, considering the beer is pretty strong. I've heard the rumor that the quality control is not a stringent as in the states, and you may get a variety of alcohol levels from bottle to bottle. I think some students are testing that theory as often as possible.

After all this, we returned to the dorms briefly and then left for a leisurely tour of the island. Our guide/driver Mr. Rogers was chuck full of information about the lush history of St. Kitts.

Mr. Rogers.

Once you leave the school, it is immediately apparent that islanders do not see animals in the same light as we do. That's not to be negative, just a big cultural difference that most students have trouble getting used to. For example, if I see a stray hit by a car my first instinct is to check if its alive/dead and move it out of the road. That is not acceptable here; most "strays" are actually owned and the owners do not take well at all to busybodies. Farm animals are also "strays", as they wander all over but are usually owned in some way. Lots of roaming cattle, goats, pigs. I have only seen 2 cats; it seems the mongoose population keeps the kitten population in check. And monkeys are all over, if you're lucky enough to catch sight of the little buggers before they scamper off.

Donkey hanging out.

Black Rocks, the only place on the island that gives proof of previous volcanic activity.

The rocks and that awful sulfur smell.

Now I'm sure all of you are thinking surely this is where the story ends! No one can possibly take all of that running around and still try to do something! But no. Ross hosted a burger and sandwich dinner at The Wedge (a little store they built in between two of the dorms). Since we were told 6:30pm, we showed up at 6:30pm. And were greeted with a huge line of people going into a room with no AC and a halt in production of burgers due to grill top size (they were intending to cook for 100+ people on one standard sized grill). To top it off, Kelly said when the orientation leaders arrived at 6, they were admonished by the two staff people who said "Don't they know about island time?". Thus, around 8pm, when our line had moved only slightly and they told us the grill was now out of gas or charcoal or something, we hopped on a bus and headed out to the Oasis for burgers and fries done right. And at 10% off, because we are VIPs. They even have mozzarella cheesesticks. I'm pumped.