Adventures in Antigua

Narrow, windy roads. Goats wandering across the street. Humid air. Juicy mangoes and pineapples. Brown, slender mongoose. Ocean waves breaking. Fans blowing. Cars whizzing past on the "wrong" side of the street. Bright flowers. Vegetation I had never seen before.

These are just some of the sights, sounds, and tastes that I've experienced since arriving in Antigua. And, even with Heather and Burton having to study for an exam all day yesterday, I have somehow managed to experience so much already. Attended a white coat ceremony for some of the medical students at Heather's school. Got a tour of her campus, met many of her classmates and professors, sat through a two (or was it three?) hour ceremony, and never felt so white in my life before (everyone there was either African-American or super tanned).

Yesterday, Heather and I visited with Her Excellency, the Governor General of Antigua. Heather's friend and neighbor is a retired Antiguan and he and the governor general have been friends since they were little. We went over to his house to meet her and she turned out to be a most pleasant lady. Just before we left, Mr. R. walked with us through his orchard (full of trees and bushes I had never seen before) and he plucked three papaya to give to Heather.

Later in the day, Burton's sister, Jill, and I spent some time at a beach by a resort. And I got to see and touch that which I have only ever seen on travel brochures or my friends' honeymoon photos: white sandy beach, blue lawn chairs under palm trees, ocean water that was warm (but just cool enough to still feel refreshing)...

Heather is writing her last exam right now. Then we're going off to some other beach for some snorkeling!